Manitoba’s premier gave her thoughts on the potential use of the federal Emergencies Act.
Heather Stefanson notes that she is not satisfied that the Emergencies Act should be applied in Manitoba.
Stefanson notes that the protests in Winnipeg are dramatically different from the one in Ottawa, while the Emerson border situation is very different from the one faced in Windsor, Ontario.
Stefanson added that she understands using the Emergencies Act when it comes to the situation in Ontario, but she does not believe it should be used universally across Canada.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also expressed his disapproval of invoking the Act, saying on his Twitter account “police already have sufficient tools to enforce the law and clear the blockades, as they did over the weekend in Windsor.”
“If the federal government does proceed with this measure, I would hope it would only be invoked in provinces that request it, as the legislation allows.” Moe added.
Since the Freedom Convoy arrived in Ottawa in late January, protests of vaccine mandates and other health restrictions have broke out across the country, with blockades at border crossings in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a meeting today (Mon) with the premiers to get their feedback on possibly using it, which gives special powers to the prime minister to respond to emergency scenarios affecting public welfare, public order, international emergencies or war emergencies.
The Prime Minister is set to have a news conference on the topic this afternoon.