Dear Friends & Partners,
Our apologies for the second email today.
We are landing in an unprecedented moment for our nation that requires immediate action.
As you will all know by now, the Prime Minister invoked the Emergency Measures Act on Monday. The powers went into effect last night.
Yesterday, The Hon. Stockwell Day, former Federal Minister of Public Safety, unpacked the implications. See the interview we sent you earlier (here).
In this interview he explained that the last time this happened in Canada (under the War Measures Act) was in 1970 under Pierre Elliot Trudeau. At this time the government of the day did tens of thousands of raids on innocent Canadians, arrested hundreds and in the end only a handful of people were charged with any wrongdoing.
Translation: the powers the government have just given themselves are extreme -- and arguably completely unnecessary.
In recent days, other protests have been dealt with peacefully with local law enforcement without using the powers given by the Emergency Measures Act.
The act allows the government to seize property, bank accounts, cancel vehicle insurances and arrest peaceful protesters as well as those seen as helping them.
MOTION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS:
A motion to extend the act beyond a week is likely to be brought before the House of Commons tomorrow. It could also be voted on tomorrow or Friday.
This vote will determine if the orders are extended, or revoked.
CONTACT THE NDP AND LIBERAL MPS
Whether or not the government is able to extend these powers will likely depend on how the NDP votes. There are also Liberal MPs who have indicated they are not in agreement with the Prime Minister. They could also vote against the extension and help defeat the motion.
The most important thing for Canadians to do immediately is to contact the NDP MPs, Liberal MPs and their own MPs to ask them to vote against this.
CONTACT THE NDP
613-236-3613
contact@ndp.ca
Form: https://www.ndp.ca/contact
For a list of all NDP MP emails click here.
CONTACT THE LIBERAL PARTY
1-888-542-3725
assistance@liberal.ca
Form: https://liberal.ca/contact/
For a list of all Liberal MP emails click here.
CONTACT YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Click here to find your MP by postal code now.
Click here for a full list of MP emails.
