The Public Order Emergency Commission has granted Alberta full standing to participate in the public inquiry into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act. This allows the province to participate in the investigation process and public hearings, including taking part in the review of the circumstances that led to its invocation.
Alberta will also take part in developing policy recommendations that would help make sure any future use of the Emergencies Act does not violate provincial jurisdiction and unjustly infringe people’s rights.
“The federal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act was an unnecessary and disproportionate measure that intruded on provincial jurisdiction, violated civil liberties and created chaos and uncertainty across the country. I am pleased that Alberta will be heard when this dangerous decision is examined by a public inquiry.”
“The federal government set a very dangerous precedent by unnecessarily invoking the Emergencies Act and implementing additional measures under it. They not only ignored our provincial jurisdiction under Canada’s Constitution, they also violated the constitutionally guaranteed rights of all Canadians. It is critical we hold the federal government accountable. Alberta’s government will do everything we can to protect Albertans’ freedoms and liberties from this kind of unjustified federal overreach.”
Alberta will also appear before the Federal Court to participate in the constitutional and non-constitutional issues raised in legal challenges against the federal government.
Quick facts
- As required by the Emergencies Act, the Government of Canada established the Public Order Emergency Commission to conduct a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the declaration of emergency from Feb. 14-23 and the measures taken to deal with the emergency.