By Canadian Press

Group involved in Ottawa protest forges ahead with Emergencies Act injunction hearing

Feb 25, 2022 | 10:56 AM

OTTAWA — A group involved in the recent protest in Ottawa against COVID-19 measures pressed ahead today in asking a court to halt federal use of the Emergencies Act, even though the government has already moved to revoke the powers.

Late last week, Canadian Frontline Nurses and member Kristen Nagle asked the Federal Court for an injunction staying the Liberal government’s use of the emergencies law and associated measures while their full case plays out in court.

The group and Nagle say they are opposed to “unreasonable” COVID-19-related mandates and restrictions that have been implemented by various levels of Canadian governments.

They ultimately want the court to rule that the federal government strayed beyond its jurisdiction in declaring a public order emergency last week, saying the move was unconstitutional.

The emergencies law allowed for temporary measures including regulation and prohibition of public assemblies, the designation of secure places, direction to banks to freeze assets and a ban on support for participants.

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David Cowling, a lawyer for the group, told the court today that even through the government has withdrawn the emergency measures, the call for an injunction was not moot, as it was unclear whether the orders could still lead to future prosecutions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2022.

The Canadian Press