Abby Deshman, Director of the Criminal Justice program for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, made the following statement:
Today’s comments from the federal government setting out their vision for the emergencies act inquiry fell short. The government’s remarks demonstrate that they are hoping for an inquiry that will look primarily at the actions of the protesters. But the requirement to call an inquiry was put into the Emergencies Act to ensure a robust examination of the government’s use of emergency powers. The broader context is important, but the government’s attempts to divert attention from their own actions is concerning.
The Prime Minister and his Ministers remarks missed the point—government accountability—making it even more clear why our lawsuit must continue. The government has already said they intend to bring motions to try to end the case without a ruling on the merits. We will be fighting these motions in court and plan on proceeding with our litigation.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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