Alberta to proceed with Emergencies Act challenge despite it being lifted
Posted February 23, 2022 4:34 pm.
Last Updated February 23, 2022 6:06 pm.
Alberta’s premier says he still intends to proceed with a court challenge, despite the federal government’s decision to revoke the Emergencies Act.
Kenney’s legal action would review the act and address concerns with what he calls an abuse of power.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday that the Emergencies Act had served its purpose.
Related article: Justin Trudeau revokes Emergencies Act as order returns to Ottawa
Shortly after, Kenney delivered a passionate speech in the Alberta legislature, deriding Trudeau and his Liberal government’s actions.
“The rights of Canadians and Albertans have been violated, provincial jurisdiction has been violated and a dangerous precedent has been created,” Kenney said.
The Alberta premier went on to say there was never an emergency that justified the use of the law.
“Alberta’s government will give the independent judiciary the opportunity to speak to these critical issues and we hope our pleadings will result with clear limits around the exercise of the emergency powers to constrain such arbitrary application of them in the future. ”
In a Twitter thread posted after Trudeau’s comments, Kenney called the lifting of lifting of the act a “humiliation” for those who supported it.
WATCH: Kenney addresses Emergency Act
The Emergencies Act was invoked on Monday, Feb. 14 in response to ongoing protests against COVID-19 measures, including a major demonstration that had brought parts of downtown Ottawa to a standstill for weeks.
“After careful consideration, we’re ready to confirm that the situation is no longer an emergency. Therefore, the federal government will be ending the use of the Emergencies Act,” Trudeau announced Wednesday.
Watch: Emergencies Act revoked
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association also says at this time it plans to pursue its court challenge of the legislation.
In a release, the association says it’s important for the courts to comment on the legal threshold and constitutional issues to guide the actions of future governments.
-With files from the Canadian Press
