Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revoked the country's Emergency Measures Act Wednesday, formally ending a state of emergency in Ottawa caused by blockades and anti-COVID-19 protests.
Trudeau made the announcement during a news conference on Parliament Hill Wednesday, flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Current road conditions are unsafe in the area bound by Laurier, Bronson, Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River (previously known as the secured area) due to snow, ice, barriers, etc. For public safety, the area is restricted to local traffic only. #otttraffic
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 24, 2022
"The situation is no longer an emergency. We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe," Trudeau told reporters.
"Police officers will continue to be there to protect our streets and neighborhoods within their jurisdictions."
Ontario's provincial government ended its separate state of emergency Wednesday evening.
The government enacted the legislation on Valentine's Day, declaring a national emergency after the "Freedom Convoy" of truckers disrupted a major U.S.-Canada border crossing for several days. The protest also took root in the heart of Ottawa, with a temporary camp taking over parts of the city's downtown core.
The act authorizes "the taking of special temporary measures to ensure safety and security during national emergencies and to amend other Acts in consequence thereof."
Police in Ottawa have since succeeded in removing a majority of the protesters. The city's police department has credited the act with helping it get the situation under control, as it allowed officers from outside of Ontario to participate in the operation.
?BREAKING?Canada's finance department has ordered banks to unfreeze accounts belonging to Freedom Convoy donors and protesters
— ??Freedom??? (@1AmKa3) February 23, 2022
"As the weeks went by, it became obvious that provincial and local authorities needed more tools in order to enforce the law and protect Canadians. And that's exactly what the Emergencies Act provided," Trudeau said.
"It was the responsible and necessary thing to do."
This article has been adapted from its original source.
