Public Order Emergency Commission – November 25, 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies as public hearings of the Public Order Emergency Commission conclude in Ottawa. Led by Paul Rouleau, the commission is studying the federal government’s unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act in February 2022 to declare a public order emergency. The declaration of emergency came in response to protests, at a number of Canada–U.S. border crossings and in downtown Ottawa, opposing the government’s COVID-19 public-health measures. The Emergencies Act requires an inquiry to be held following any declaration of emergency, with the mandate of examining both the circumstances of the declaration and the measures taken under it. Over 60 witnesses have testified at the inquiry since it began six weeks ago on October 13, including the mayors of Ottawa and Coutts, "Freedom Convoy" organizers, the heads of the RCMP and CSIS, senior members from the Prime Minister's Office, and key federal cabinet ministers. Justice Rouleau must submit a final report to Parliament no later than February 20, 2023.



Please note: Video with ASL sign language interpretation is available at https://publicorderemergencycommission.ca/