Thread by @globeandmail

Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau kicked off debate Thursday on his government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act to address cross-country blockades.

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Trudeau acknowledged public frustration with #COVID19 pandemic restrictions while declaring the continuing protests illegal and dangerous.

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The Emergencies Act was invoked Monday, the first time since the law was adopted in 1988. The legislation replaced the War Measures Act, in part to ensure the measures are compliant with the Charter and adding parliamentary oversight powers.

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“We understand that everyone is tired of this pandemic. We understand that Canadians are frustrated with COVID. Some protesters came to Ottawa to express their frustration and fatigue with public health measures. That’s their right,” @JustinTrudeau said.

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“It’s a right that we’ll defend in this free and democratic country. But illegal blockades and occupations are not peaceful protests,” @JustinTrudeau said. “They have to stop.”

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The debate on the floor of the temporary House of Commons in Parliament’s West Block took place as a police presence intensified outside.

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Large trucks are parked tightly along Wellington Street immediately south of the Parliament Buildings and in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, which is on the south side of Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill.

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Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen said the government’s move is both historic and extremely disappointing and said her party will be voting against the motion.

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Bergen said the government’s decision to impose COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers contributed to increasing tensions in the country.

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The House of Commons debate will ultimately end with a vote. It would appear MPs have reached an agreement to debate the issue through the weekend and vote on Monday, but a timeline had not been formally announced as of Thursday morning.

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