Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act
(Picture: Getty Images)Canada has taken steps to freeze anti-vax protesters’ bank accounts as a wave of demonstrations sweep across the country.
Prime minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act in a bid to quell protests as they enter their third week.
This means banks can freeze personal accounts and suspend vehicle insurance of anyone affiliated with the protests, without a court order.
Protests against mandatory vaccines have erupted across the country including in the capital, Ottawa. Up to 500 trucks have been parked in the city centre for the last 18 days.
Protests started after a new rule meant all truckers must be vaccinated to cross the border into America and back again, or quarantine upon return, but now many are demonstrating against all Covid restrictions.
On Sunday, law enforcement stepped in to break up a six-day blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, a crucial route for Canada-US trade.
Blockades have also been set up at border crossings in Alberta and Manitoba.
“This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people’s jobs,” Mr Trudeau said at a news conference on Monday.
He vowed to give police “more tools” to imprison or fine protesters, but stressed the move would only be applied in a “time-limited” and “reasonable and proportionate” manner.
The Emergencies Act, passed in 1988, must hit strict criteria for it to be invoked.
It may only be used in an “urgent and critical situation” that “seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians”.
Lawful protests cannot be subject to the legislation.
Canada’s justice minister David Lametti claimed the high legal bar had been met, while the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said the move “threatens our democracy and our civil liberties”.
Ontario premier Doug Ford said he supported the federal government while those in Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan said the emergency powers were not required in their regions.
Before Mr Trudeau’s announcement, Quebec premier Francois Legault said it could “throw oil on the fire”.
