Premier Kenney at an afternoon presser says he doesn't think Emergencies Act will affect Alberta as they already have the tools to handle the Coutts blockade.
Says light touch there was just due to investigation into potentially violent cell- can now move to enforcement.
Kenney says he told the PM that's it's a sensitive time and that invocation of the Emergencies Act could flare up tensions.
Kenney says one concern is that the feds could use the powers over the province's objections- worries about precedent it might set.
Adds PMJT can work to reduce the tensions by saying he's working with U.S. to drop trucker vaccine mandate
Pm Justin Trudeau says the Emergency Act powers are geographically specific, not a blanket across the country.
Will only be used where it's needed by local authorities
Are you inflaming the situation by invoking Emergencies Act?
Trudeau says focus on Canadians and impacts of pandemic who just want this to be over.
But those who disagree with govt measures to keep Canadians safe have gone from protesting to limiting freedoms of others.
Would you go forward in provinces that don't agree with invoking Emergencies Act?
Trudeau says they are talking to leaders across the country, says act simply provides additional tools to police on site- it's not automatically an intervention from feds.
These tools include ability to impose fines or imprisonment will protect critical infrastructure to economy and jobs, such as border crossings an airports.
Also can be used to tow vehicles blocking roads.
Trudeau says financial institutes will be authorized or directed to render essential service such as regulating or prohibiting property to fund illegal blockades.
Are you disturbed by protesters actions against RCMP, and how will they be dispersed?
Kenney says it is disturbing ramming RCMP vehicles, says it happened earlier, too.
Adds weapons are more disturbing and intelligence showing group had violent intent.
Kenney says vast majority of protesters are law abiding, but at Coutts in that case, a small cell of people who wanted to take this in a dark and dangerous direction.
Thanks RCMP for restraint given investigation.
Kenney says there has been attempts to politicize the situation in Coutts - understand call for immediate enforcement
But important for govt to work with RCMP to avoid inflaming situation with potentially violent cell group.