MEDIA LINES – General
- The Emergencies Act is a measure of last resort designed to provide additional temporary powers to the federal government that complement other federal, provincial or territorial authorities.
- Before measures can be taken under the Emergencies Act, three conditions must be met:
- There must be an urgent and critical situation, temporary in nature, that endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians;
- The capacity or authority of provinces to deal with the situation must be deemed insufficient or lacking; and
- We must conclude that the situation cannot be dealt with effectively under the authorities of other Canadian laws.
- The Act gives the Government of Canada the authority to designate and secure protected spaces.
- The Act also gives the federal government the authority to direct essential service providers to deliver services.
- All persons must not participate, travel to, or facilitate in any way prohibited demonstrations that breach the peace by disrupting the movement of goods and people; interfering with trade, or with critical infrastructure; or supporting the threat or use of serious violence against persons or property.
- That means people are prohibited from public assembly and demonstrations that interfere with the functioning of critical infrastructure, including railways, rail stations, bus stations and depots, truck depots, airports/aerodromes, bridges, roads, canals, waterways, ports, ferry terminals, points of entry and utilities, to name a few.
- Those who contravene new measures put in place under the Act could face fines of up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
MEDIA LINES – Transport Canada’s Role
- As a federal department, Transport Canada will support measures made under the Emergencies Act that protect critical infrastructure and avoid disruption to the movement of persons and goods.
- Critical transportation infrastructure includes railways, rail stations, bus stations and depots, truck depots, airports/aerodromes, bridges, roads, canals, and ports -- to name a few.
- The department is working with infrastructure operators and transportation providers to ensure they are supported in putting plans in place to keep the supply chain moving and that essential consumer goods reach Canadian households.
- Transport Canada will also continue to work with provincial governments and local law enforcement to identify and address key challenges in resolving the blockades.
- These measures are temporary and will cease to exist once the declaration is revoked.
SUPPLEMENTARY LINES
- It is important to remember that participating in lawful protests is a fundamental right in Canada. Breaking the law is not.
- Blockades are making Canadians feel threatened in their homes and communities. They are preventing goods from crossing the Canada-U.S. border, impeding key trade activities. They are also forcing some factories to close down and send workers home. They are interfering with their ability to earn a living and to access essential goods, including food from grocery stores.
- Consequences of engaging in blockades can include: vehicle seizure, fines, and imprisonment.