A judge has found it was unreasonable for the Liberal government to use the Emergencies Act for the first time two years ago, when “Freedom Convoy” protesters were causing havoc in Ottawa and at key border points.
Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley says he revisited the events with the benefit of hindsight and a more extensive record of the facts and the law than the government had when it proclaimed a public order emergency.
He says the invocation of the act led to the infringement of constitutional rights.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the government respectfully disagrees with the decision and will appeal.
Canadian Press