Judicial inquiry into Trudeau’s use of Emergency Powers will cost taxpayers roughly $19 million dollars

Tamara Ugolini
  |   August 03, 2022   |   Be the first to comment

In a report published by Blacklocks, the Privy Council of Canada detailed that the inquiry into the use of the emergency powers invoked by Justin Trudeau against the Freedom Convoy will cost Canadians nearly $19 million.

On February 14th, 2022, Canadian Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act to deal with freedom convoy protests.

The Emergencies Act was in effect for nine days, being revoked on February 23rd. By Law, an inquiry must be held to look into the circumstances that led to the declaration being issued and measures taken to deal with the truck drivers protesting vaccine mandates.

The judicial inquiry undertaken by the Public Order Emergency Commission appointed Justice Paul Rouleau as the Commissioner. There are eighteen lawyers on staff and the commission has requested “up to 18.8 million in funding,” according to the Privy Council Office.

This funding is said to include the cost of billable hours for staff counsel and lawyers. Notably, the Freedom Convoy lawyers did not request funding.

Commissioner Rouleau recommended that five entities receive funding to enable them to participate in the Inquiry. This includes:

  • The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (Ontario) and the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers, who jointly requested funding as a group;
  • The Canadian Civil Liberties Association;
  • The Calgary Chamber of Commerce;
  • The Ottawa Coalition of Residents and Businesses, who jointly requested funding as a group; and
  • The Canadian Constitution Foundation and Professor Ryan Alford

The Commission’s Final Report, with findings and recommendations, must be tabled in the House of Commons and Senate of Canada by February 20, 2023.

“This means the Commission will have to complete its hearings and fact-finding process by the end of October,” the Commission said.

The Commission has said it will live stream all proceedings on the internet regardless of whether TV networks broadcast its hearings. “This exceptional step recognizes the fundamental importance of the Public Order Emergency Commission’s work and how critical these documents are in inquiring into why the government declared a public order emergency,” said Co-Lead Commission Counsel Shantona Chaudhury and Jeffrey Leon.

The inquiry comes after substantial misinformation was espoused by Canadian legacy media who pressed the Government to take action.

Liberal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino also misled the House of Commons and, arguably, Canadians after the Liberal Government falsely claimed that police asked for additional tools to deal with protestors.

The emergency order resulted in ~230 protestors being arrested, most on mischief charges, and the freezing of ~76 bank accounts.

At a conference marking the 40th Anniversary of the Charter of Rights, Constitutional Scholar John Packer said that “The notion of a right to protest absolutely does exist.”

“It's very core in human rights to rebel against excessive abuse of authority… a number of freedoms – freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of movement – and understanding the relation of these and the very notion of freedom is something that clearly not enough Canadians understand, neither in our government nor in the public square.”

Tamara Ugolini

Senior Editor

Tamara Ugolini is an informed choice advocate turned journalist whose journey into motherhood sparked her passion for parental rights and the importance of true informed consent. She critically examines the shortcomings of "Big Policy" and its impact on individuals, while challenging mainstream narratives to empower others in their decision-making.

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