Premier Scott Moe. File Photo
Like many Canadians, The Government of Saskatchewan isn’t too pleased with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act, formerly known as the War Measures Act, in response to protestors occupying streets in downtown Ottawa.
A motion stating the Liberal government’s decision to invoke the act was passed in the House of Commons on Monday.
The decision has gained its fair share of scrutiny since being passed, mainly due to the amount of power the Act gives the PM, but questions have also been raised in regards to whether the situation in Ottawa was as bad as Trudeau was making it out to be.
In order to declare a public order emergency under the act, the government has to show there are “threats to the security of Canada” and that it “is so serious as to be a national emergency.”
Many, including the governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta, are arguing these criteria were not met, which is why the offices of Premiers Moe and Kenney have released statements in regards to possible legal challenges.
“The Government of Saskatchewan shares the position of other provinces that the criteria to enact the federal Emergencies Act has not been met,” said Julie Leggott, press secretary to Premier Moe, in a statement.
“Saskatchewan is carefully evaluating the impact of the unilateral invocation of the Emergencies Act, despite the province’s clear opposition to its application in Saskatchewan during consultation. At this time, legal recourse is under consideration and has not been ruled out.”
