Former Justice Minister Defends Invocation of Emergencies Act as He Leaves Politics

Invoking the Emergencies Act during 2022’s Freedom Convoy protest was the right thing to do, former Justice Minister David Lametti said, commenting on the recent court decision against the government’s action while announcing his departure from Canadian politics. “I disagree with the decision. I disagree with [Justice Richard Mosley’s] analysis, and I disagree with his framing of the issue and his treatment of the facts,” Mr. Lametti said on CBC Radio Jan. 25, referring to the Jan. 23 Federal Court decision that deemed the Emergencies Act invocation unjustified. “I’m pretty confident this decision will be overturned on appeal.” The federal judge determined that the implementation of the Emergencies Act in response to the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa was “unreasonable.” The judge also found that the regulations associated with the act violated the Charter rights of Canadians....