B.C. Indigenous leader calls on Trudeau to respond to escalating convoy protests, blockades

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to invoke Canada’s Emergencies Act to bring an end to the protest that has paralyzed downtown Ottawa, and the blockades of major border crossings.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says the actions of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” have been allowed to continue unchecked for too long. What ostensibly began as a protest in the nation’s capital against a cross-border vaccine mandate for truck drivers has morphed into something much larger over the past two weeks.

“I think Justin Trudeau needs to put on his big boy pants and assume the full responsibilities of the prime ministership and bring this nonsense to an abrupt end.” 

“Like most Canadians. I’m watching the so-called ‘Freedom Convoy’ transition from the occupation around the parliamentary enclave to a national insurrection, which features blockades at critical border points between Canada and the U.S. and is having a very detrimental effect on the economy,” Phillip said.

OPEN LETTER: Call for Immediate Action to End Dangerous Freedom Convoy: @JustinTrudeau "Your Father would not have tolerated such a despicable, blatantly racist, and hateful challenge to the democratic ideals and principles of our country" GCSP https://t.co/qoObklZJd9 pic.twitter.com/mjjGBhPf6Y

— UBCIC (@UBCIC) February 11, 2022

The Emergencies Act allows the federal government to declare a national emergency, defined as “an urgent and critical situation of a temporary nature.” It gives the federal government broader powers to respond when there is an emergency that is poses danger to Canadians’ lives, health or safety that can not adequately be dealt with by the provinces. It can also be invoked in a situation where an emergency threatens Canada’s sovereignty or security.

“It’s an Act that has been formulated to deal with national crises. And surely to goodness, this represents a national crisis of epic proportions. So what is the government waiting for? For it to continue to grow? For more border blockades to take place? It has to stop.”

Formerly known as the War Measures Act, it has only ever been used once in peacetime.

“I felt it appropriate to remind Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of the legacy of his father,” Phillip said, referring to Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s use of the act to bring an end to the October Crisis in 1970. The Canadian Armed Forces were called in and 495 people were arrested in that case.

Since the first trucks rolled into Ottawa two weeks ago, the downtown core of that city has been at a standstill. Over that weekend, the demonstration drew widespread condemnation due to the presence of far-right extremist groups, display of swastikas and confederate flags, comparisons of COVID-19 measures to the Holocaust, desecration of monuments, and racist impersonations of Indigenous ceremony. Residents, non-profits, and business owners have spoken out about how unsafe they feel.

Ottawa’s police chief and Ontario’s premier have described it as an “occupation.” Still, swathes of vehicles and hundreds of people remain.

Police have arrested 25 people so far on various charges, including mischief and menacing. There are 126 criminal investigations underway. A hate-motivated crime hotline has received 413 calls There have been 1,550 tickets issued for violations ranging from improperly tinted windows to excessive noise to having an obstructed license plate. But Ottawa’s police chief has repeatedly said the city’s force alone will not be able to bring an end to the protest.

Phillip points to the use of “brute force” by the Canadian military, in coordination with various policing agencies against Indigenous protests and blockades during the Oka and Ipperwash Crises.

“If this was an indigenous occupation and insurrection the army would have been brought in long ago … The same standard of enforcement is not evident in this case. That’s a double standard. It’s a racist application of the laws of this country, it’s racially selective,” he said.

“That in itself is disgraceful. but to have our laws, our ideals, our values disrespected in such a disgusting manner as we’re witnessing every single day is absolutely outrageous. I don’t think there’s any Canadian that doesn’t want to see this come to an immediate end.”

RELATED: Police response to ongoing Canadian convoy protests questioned, criticized

The first border to be blocked was in Coutts, Alberta on Jan. 30. On Feb. 7, a blockade was set up on the bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan. It is still impassable, and U.S. President Joe Biden has called on Trudeau to take action to end that blockade which has brought the auto industry to a grinding halt. At around midnight on Feb. 10, the crossing in Emerson, Manitoba became impassable as trucks, tractors, and other large vehicles lined up to block it.

RELATED: US urges Canada to use federal powers to end bridge blockade

The prime minister had several meetings about the escalating situation Thursday evening. He gave no indication that he is considering using the Emergencies Act.

“This evening, I had several meetings that were focused on the illegal blockades and occupations happening across the country. They’re harming the communities they’re taking place in – and they’re hurting jobs, businesses, and our country’s economy,” he said in a statement.

This evening, I had several meetings that were focused on the illegal blockades and occupations happening across the country. They’re harming the communities they’re taking place in – and they’re hurting jobs, businesses, and our country’s economy. More below

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 11, 2022

“First, I convened an Incident Response Group meeting with ministers and officials. We’ll continue to work closely with municipal and provincial governments to end these blockades, and to make sure they have the resources they need.”

In a separate statement, Trudeau noted the “significant federal support that the RCMP is providing to law enforcement across Canada,” and said the feds will continue to support municipal and provincial governments.

With files from CityNews Toronto