Ontario Deputy Premier and Health Minister Defends Federal Government Amid Emergencies Act Ruling
*Burlington, Ontario – [Date]* — Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Sylvia Jones, has come to the defense of the federal government following a recent ruling by the Federal Court that declared the use of the Emergencies Act as a violation of constitutional rights. Speaking in Burlington, Minister Jones expressed her support for the federal government’s actions in response to the disruptive and invasive protests that occurred in 2022.
The Federal Court’s ruling on Tuesday found that the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act to disband the so-called “Freedom Convoy” in downtown Ottawa was deemed “unreasonable.” This unprecedented and wide-reaching law was employed by the federal government to address a weeks-long demonstration that had taken hold in the nation’s capital.
Around the same time, the Government of Ontario, under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, declared a state of emergency in response to blockades at the Ambassador Bridge, a vital trade link between Windsor and Detroit.
Minister Jones emphasized the importance of preventing protests from negatively impacting communities both economically and socially. She stated, “I continue to believe that we need to ensure that demonstrations don’t impact communities in a very visceral way that impacts our economic and social pieces.”
While the Federal Court determined that the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act was not justified, the Ford government faced criticism for not taking immediate action in response to the Ottawa occupation. Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency only after the Ambassador Bridge was blocked, prompting questions about the timing of the provincial response. Former Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson testified during the Emergencies Act inquiry, highlighting Ontario’s absence from key meetings, which contributed to delays in ending the demonstration.
Minister Jones defended Ontario’s decisions at the time, citing the need for action when ambulances and fire trucks were unable to access certain roads due to the protest. She emphasized that the government’s priority was the safety and well-being of Ontarians.
The federal government has announced its intention to appeal the recent ruling on the use of the Emergencies Act, signaling its commitment to defending its actions during the 2022 protests.
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