File Photo (Image Credit: The Canadian Press)

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Invoking the Emergency Measures Act was necessary

Oct 24, 2022 | 5:58 AM

WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER invoked the Emergency Measures Act in Ottawa in February, I honestly don’t know what other option the federal government had.

Testimony at an inquiry to determine whether invoking the Act was justified clearly points to chaos in the capital that threatened to erupt into serious violence.

Ottawa Police apparently planned for the convoy to stay for a couple of days, and then go home. When the police found the convoy was staying put, they didn’t have a Plan ‘B.’

With several thousand trucks plugging up downtown streets, violence increasing, and truckers yelling profanities at each other, this event was taking on a life of its own.

Much of the blame seems to centre on the former police chief. Officials have testified that the chief didn’t cooperate with other forces, and that the force was guilty of poor planning, and not listening to intelligence. There was prior intel that the convoy was going to be there longer than two days, yet there was no plan in place to deal with that.

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A police superintendent from another force testified last week that the battle was lost as soon as the truckers rolled into town. The current acting deputy chief in Ottawa said the force was floundering after the first weekend. Residents in the area feared for their safety. They were afraid to leave their homes because of the increasing violence.

I have friends and extended family who were living with trucks parked right outside their doors. I know how worried they were.

In light of all that, I’m not sure what other options the prime minister had but to invoke the Emergency Measures Act, to take control of what was fast becoming an insurrection. At least that’s my view.

This was not a peaceful rally. It was turning into an occupation.

The PM did the right thing, no matter what the Inquiry determines.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.