AB, SK Say Provinces Only Informed of Ottawa’s Intention to Use Emergencies Act Hours Before It Was Invoked
Lawyers representing the governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta in the public inquiry into the federal government’s recent use of the Emergencies Act say the provinces were only told of Ottawa’s intention in the morning of the day the act was invoked.
“Feb. 14 was a very significant day from the government of Saskatchewan’s perspective,” Michael Morris, a lawyer representing the government of Saskatchewan, told the Public Order Emergency Commission on its opening day on Oct. 13.
Commissioner Paul Rouleau speaks during the first day of hearings at the Public Order Emergency Commission inquiry in Ottawa on Oct.13, 2022 in Ottawa. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)
“On the morning of Feb. 14, a First Minister’s call was held. The phone call was chaired by the prime minister. That phone call was the first time the federal government told the government of Saskatchewan that it was considering invoking the Emergencies Act and declaring a public order emergency.”…