Response to the Emergencies Act
Updated February 24, 2022 at 12:40pm
The Liberal government officially issued a declaration of emergency on February 14, 2022.
Our office has received thousands of phone calls and emails regarding this. While we are not able to respond to every message, they are being read, listened to and documented.
The Emergencies Act was passed in 1988 and this is the first time in Canadian history that it has been invoked by a Prime Minister.
Once a government has issued an emergency declaration, they have 7 days to table in Parliament a motion outlining the declaration of emergency and the reasons for calling an emergency. Parliament is required to immediately debate this motion.
At the conclusion of the debate, Parliament will vote on the contents of the motion. If the majority of Parliament votes against the government’s motion, the motion is immediately defeated, and emergency powers are revoked. If a majority of Parliament votes for the motion, the government is granted the specific powers laid out in the motion for a period of 30 days.
The debate began on February 17th, 2022, giving all members an opportunity to speak on the matter. If you would like to watch my speech, please click HERE.
On Monday February 21st, 2022, members voted on the Emergencies Act motion. After the Prime Minister reported that Ottawa’s streets are cleared, that the trucks are gone and the borders are opened, the Liberals and the NDP voted to extend the Emergencies Act. This allows the government to use vast new powers and keep the state of emergency going. Conservative MPs stood up for Canadians and voted against this government overreach. The Emergencies Act was not necessary to clear the blockades. That’s why immediately following the vote, Conservatives gave notice of a motion to revoke the Emergencies Act.
On Wednesday February 23rd, 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revoked the Emergencies Act. The Emergencies Act is no longer in place.
In your service,
Michelle Ferreri
Member of Parliament, Peterborough-Kawartha