Political | Process

Anonymous sources who reportedly could not speak on the matter publicly told the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) Trudeau indicated to his caucus Monday morning he will invoke the never-before-used Emergencies Act.

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• The Act authorizes special powers to the prime minister’s cabinet to respond to emergency scenarios which impact public welfare or public order, such as threats to national security.

• The law defines national emergencies as a temporary “urgent and critical situation” which “seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it, or seriously threatens the ability of the Government of Canada to preserve the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Canada.”

• Once enacted the law allows Trudeau’s cabinet to “take special temporary measures that may not be appropriate in normal times,” the Act says.

• Domestic travel restrictions, distribution of essential goods, decision-making power on what is considered an essential service, and the ability to levy fines for violations of the act, are among the measures able to be taken by Canada’s federal government once the Act is invoked, according to Reuters.

• Invoking the Act requires a parliamentary review, and any temporary laws are still subject to Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, according to CBC.

• Ottawa-based journalist Keean Bexte said Trudeau will deliver remarks during a press conference with top cabinet officials at 4:30 p.m. local time, and “will likely invoke martial law” at that time.

• Trudeau considered using the Emergencies Act at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Reuters.