A group of lawyers says the use of the Emergencies Act by the federal government is not warranted, and failing to meet its strict criteria before invoking it undermines the rule of law and civil liberties.
“Parliamentarians control parliament—not the government,” the letter said.
“We encourage you to exercise your authority, consider the issues we have identified, and view your vote on the Emergency Declaration not through a partisan lens, but one which considers how to best safeguard the rule of law and civil liberties—not only for today, but more importantly, for the future.”
The lawyers, from provinces including Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and B.C, said they “do not believe that the current circumstances warrant its unprecedented invocation.”
“The rule of law is a fundamental principle of our constitutional order and requires that the government be bound by the law. It appears that the government has enacted an Emergency Declaration where it has not met the strict criteria permitting it to do so,” the lawyers said.
“Firstly, the Emergencies Act contains very strict criteria which must be met in order for the federal government to declare a Public Order Emergency.”
“‘(T)hreats to the security of Canada’ include such activities as espionage; foreign-influenced activities detrimental to Canada’s interests that are deceptive or involve threats; terrorist activities; and activities intended to effect the destruction, or violent overthrow, of the government,” the letter said.
The lawyers argued that even assuming one of the “threats” is met, it still does not pass the high threshold required by the act to deem it a “national emergency.”
The lawyers said governments at all levels already have sufficient laws to handle the protests without the invocation of the act—something other groups have also pointed out.
“In fact, prior to the Emergency Declaration, Ontario had already invoked a State of Emergency. Some infrastructure blockades had already been cleared under existing laws, which included enforcement of court injunctions. There are also already a wide variety of charges available to law enforcement officials under federal, provincial, and municipal laws to address activities such as impeding critical infrastructure or property destruction,” the lawyers argued.
‘Unprecedented Challenges’ to Civil Liberties
The letter also noted that the act presents “significant and unprecedented challenges” to Canadians’ civil liberties, citing the financial measures announced by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Feb. 14 as one example.The lawyers stressed that if financial assets can be frozen “without judicial authorization” and “without evidence of civil or criminal liability,” the measures will remove an “important independent safeguard” that protects Canadians’ financial well-being.
The letter also expressed concerns that the act will give law enforcement the authority to breach the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that gives Canadians the right to peaceful assembly, free speech, and due process before and under the law.
“While these are subject to ‘reasonable limits,’ we have concerns about the discretion that law enforcement officials can and may exercise to infringe upon these rights and freedoms, and that the mere invocation of an emergency may be used to justify breaches of these rights and freedoms,” the letter said.
“We are also concerned that future federal governments will use the current emergency to justify emergency measures against Canadians’ peaceful political and ideological activities, and against those who might simply oppose the government of the day.”
Failure to comply with the act can lead to, on summary conviction, a fine up to $500 or imprisonment for up to six months, and on indictment, a fine not exceeding $5,000 and imprisonment up to five years.
“We note that the Emergencies Act provides for a mandatory public inquiry into its use. We encourage you to ensure that this public inquiry is robust, has representation from across all parties, and includes the participation of independent, non-partisan experts, including lawyers,” the lawyers wrote.
The motion was carried with 185 MPs voting for it and 151 against it.
The Senate must now also vote on the government’s request to use measures under the Emergencies Act. If approved, the measures could be in effect until mid-March. The government can extend its use of the act beyond that period as long as it maintains Parliament’s approval.