Alberta responds to federal court saying use of Emergencies Act during convoy was unreasonable

Federal courts have ruled that the use of the Emergencies Act by the Liberal government during the convoy protests in Ottawa infringed upon protesters’ Charter rights.

A massive decision on Tuesday found there was no national emergency justifying the invocation of the Emergencies Act.

The removal of protesters, as well as freezing people’s personal back accounts, were both found to be infringing and unreasonable.

The federal government says they plan to appeal the situation.

A joint statement by Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Justice Mickey Amery was released in response on Tuesday. 

“Since Day 1, Alberta has been clear that the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act during the COVID-19 pandemic violated the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Albertans and gave the federal government the ability to seize property without due process of law,” the statement says. 

“This is another example of the Federal Court ruling against the federal government’s unconstitutional practices. Whether it’s this court decision or their defeat on plastics or the Impact Assessment Act, it is clear the federal government simply does not understand or respect the Constitution of Canada. 

“We are disappointed that the federal government has indicated it will be appealing the decision. The unnecessary use of the Emergencies Act set a dark and dangerous precedent, and if the federal government will not acknowledge that fact, Alberta will continue to champion the charter rights of Albertans and all Canadians.”