Parliamentary Committee Notes: Federal Actions

Issue:

In early 2022, several protests and blockades emerged across Canada, centered on anti-government sentiments related to the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government actively assessed the situation and took actions within federal jurisdiction in support of provincial, territorial and municipal governments.

• As the events of January and February 2022 unfolded, federal ministers and officials were constantly monitoring the impacts of the protests and blockades across Canada. They continuously engaged provinces and territories, municipalities, and law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and to offer the support and assistance of the Government of Canada where appropriate.
• The Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Safety both engaged directly with the Premier and the Solicitor General of Ontario, respectively, to offer the assistance of the federal government in resolving illegal protests and blockades in Ontario. They also engaged with other provincial Ministers and the Mayor of Ottawa.
• In addition, Public Safety Canada, CBSA and RCMP officials worked with provincial partners to resolve illegal protests and blockades, including at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and in Ottawa.
• The Government of Canada responded to several Requests for Assistance, including:
  • the City of Ottawa for policing services;
  • the City of Windsor with respect to the Ambassador Bridge blockade; and
  • the Province of Alberta with respect to tow truck capacity at the Coutts port of entry.
• On February 12, 2022, the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and Ottawa Police Service (OPS) established an Integrated Command Centre (ICC) to develop and oversee a joint enforcement plan under the leadership of the OPS. Other police services providing support were also part of the ICC.
• There was also a National Capital Region Command Centre (NCRCC) that allowed for coordination among the OPS, OPP, RCMP, and Parliamentary Protective Service, as well as other partners including OC Transpo, paramedics and fire services, the Sûreté du Quebec and Ville de Gatineau.
• Prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act, approximately 532 RCMP officers were deployed to assist the Ottawa Police Service in the National Capital Region. Following its invocation, that number increased to 787 RCMP officers.
• It is important to note though that these deployment numbers do not reflect the totality of RCMP efforts. There were significant efforts from National Headquarters and program support behind the scenes.
• On February 14, 2022, the Governor in Council declared a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act. The declaration was revoked on February 23, 2022, and all measures and orders made pursuant to it also ceased to be in effect that day.
• A report on consultations with provinces and territories was shared in Parliament on February 16, 2022.
• The House of Commons passed a motion to appoint a special joint committee, pursuant to subsection 62(1) of the Emergencies Act, to review the exercise of powers and the performance of duties and functions pursuant to the declaration of emergency. The work of the Committee is ongoing.
• The Prime Minister announced a Public Order Emergency Commission on April 25, 2022. The Commission will table a report before the House of Commons and the Senate by February 20, 2023.

Areas of RCMP Jurisdiction

• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were the police of jurisdiction for several of the blockades, where there is no provincial, regional, or municipal police service.
• The RCMP was able to use a measured approach and existing legislation to resolve border blockades at Emerson in Manitoba, Coutts in Alberta, and the Pacific Highway crossing in British Columbia.
• The proclamation of a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act and associated measures provided all police officers across the country – not just the RCMP – with additional tools to address this crisis in a timely manner.
• Within Ottawa, provisions of the Emergencies Act granted the RCMP and policing partners new authorities to:
  • maintain and reinforce the perimeter;
  • restrict travel;
  • prevent children from being brought into the situation;
  • secure necessary equipment like tow trucks; and,
  • ensure that they could cut off financial support and other assistance – such as gas – for this unlawful blockade.
• Provisions of the Emergency Measures Regulations, made under the Emergencies Act, also introduced penalties for contraventions of the Act or Regulations. These supplemented existing provisions of the Criminal Code.

Background:

Relevant law enforcement officials, as well as officials of all levels of government, worked closely together to share information and intelligence from the start of the convoy protests. The federal government actively monitored the situation and took actions and decisions within federal jurisdiction in support of provincial, territorial, and municipal governments.

During the events of January and February 2022, federal ministers and officials continuously engaged provinces and territories, municipalities, and law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and to offer the support and assistance of the Government of Canada.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Safety both engaged directly with the Premier and the Solicitor General of Ontario, respectively, to offer the assistance of the federal government in resolving illegal protests and blockades in Ontario. In addition, Public Safety Canada, CBSA and RCMP officials worked with their Ontario counterparts to resolve illegal protests and blockades, including at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and in Ottawa.

The Government of Canada received Requests for Assistance (RFAs) from:

• The Province of Ontario on January 28, 2022, seeking approval from the Canadian Armed Forces to use the Cartier Drill Hall parking lot for a police staging area.
• The Province of Alberta on February 5, 2022, seeking federal assistance in removing obstructions from the highway.
• The City of Ottawa on February 7, 2022, for policing services.
• The City of Windsor with respect to the Ambassador Bridge blockade on February 9, 2022.

In addition, the federal government was in continuous contact with all implicated jurisdictions, including municipal and Indigenous representatives, such as the City of Ottawa, the City of Windsor, the Assembly of First Nations, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

There was also regular engagement with municipal and provincial officials concerning the Ambassador Bridge, including on a request for assistance received from the City of Windsor on February 9, 2022.  Ongoing engagement also occurred concerning the Coutts port of entry, including Alberta’s request for assistance in relation to tow truck capacity (February 5, 2022 letter to Ministers of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness from the Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs).

Federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) officials met on a multilateral and bilateral basis, including the following, where information was shared on the ongoing situation and the use of authorities:

• FPT Deputy Ministers of Justice and Public Safety held an ad hoc meeting February 7, 2022.
• The Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM)-level FPT Crime Prevention and Policing (CPPC) Committee met on February 11, 16 and 24, 2022.
• Discussions took place with ADMs from Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta on February 13, 2022, and with Ontario and Manitoba on February 14, 2022.

Transport Canada officials gathered and shared information with PT transport ministries on PT tools/actions being considered to manage the convoys, including potential infraction and enforcement regimes under the respective jurisdictions’ motor vehicle safety legislation. This included:

• The ADM-level table of the Council of Minsters Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety met twice, on February 4 and 8, 2022.
• Calls took place with Alberta and Ontario on February 5, 2022, with Ontario on February 6 and 7, 2022, and with Alberta on February 7, 2022.

The Government of Canada also engaged Indigenous leaders regarding the blockades. For example, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations spoke with the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, the President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the President of the Métis National Council, the Grand Chief of Akwesasne, and the Grand Chief of the Manitoba Southern Chief’s Organization.

The National Capital Region Command Centre (NCRCC) is the Divisional Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) responsible for responding to major events. During the recent Freedom Convoy, the NCRCC allowed incident commanders to make time-sensitive informed decisions when working with various policing partners. The RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) also established an Integrated Command Centre (ICC) to develop and oversee a joint enforcement plan under the leadership of the OPS. Other police services providing support were also part of the ICC. This enhanced tri-lateral partnership is a positive example of successful domestic cooperation that resulted in securing the National Capital Region (NCR), removing the blockades, and safeguarding public safety and security.

The ICC provided enhanced and seamless communication and operational planning with all three partners to respond and disrupt blockades in the NCR. It was able to develop a time-sensitive and actionable plan that resulted in a safe and peaceful end to the blockades. This plan was actioned through ongoing communication between the ICC and NCRCC. It had seamless communication and were aware of all events as they unfolded. This communication allowed law enforcement to maintain its close protection stance, and disrupt any potential incidents, while also informing senior leadership of convoy participants’ behaviour.

Date modified:

2022-12-20