Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney privately called the Freedom Convoy a “magnet for every crazy in the province.”.His remarks came in a confidential teleconference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other premiers on the Emergencies Act, according to Blacklock's Reporter..“Folks at the core of this movement are not rational,” said Kenney, according to minutes of the meeting. “They are prone to conspiracy theories. Invoking what they will see as martial law will be seen as a serious provocation.”.Kenney said he opposed use of the act..“A declaration risks further radicalizing thousands of sympathizers in Alberta,” Kenney said. “Could turn operation into a magnet for every crazy in the province.”.All but three provinces — British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador — opposed use of the Emergencies Act. One dissenter, Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane, said she feared injuries..“Remember when premiers wanted to call in the army in the past, I said no,” said Cochrane. “I don’t want blood on my hands. I don’t want to see people hurt. I don’t like what is going on.”.Other leaders in the teleconference warned invoking the act was unnecessary and provocative..“It will inflame the situation we have,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “It won’t bring people together.”.“Virtually all provinces announced a path forward to reduce or eliminate many public health orders,” said Premier Moe..“I haven’t seen them yet from the federal government. This would be the most effective tool to reduce the temperature and allow law enforcement to remove protesters, notably in Ottawa. It would provide another way to unite people across the country. Enacting the Emergencies Act is not going to do that.”.Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson agreed declaring a national emergency would “cause the situation to escalate” and advocated local remedies..“I have discussed this with the governor of North Dakota,” said Stefanson. “They have their own concerns about the mandate and I think there is an opportunity to work together to help de-escalate things with more of a carrot approach rather than bringing in the Emergencies Act.”.One premier who supported the act questioned its impact..“Too heavy a hand may embolden others,” said former British Columbia premier John Horgan. Minutes of the meeting indicated Horgan expressed “concern about emboldening those losing public support” in opposing mandates..Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he had “zero tolerance” for protesters..“They are not truckers,” said Ford. “The only thing they understand is when police seize vehicles and take licenses away.”.Minutes recorded Ford as complaining of “anarchy in Ottawa.”.Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey agreed the protests outside Parliament was upsetting..“Ottawa represents us on the world stage,” said Furey. “We are taking a reputational hit internationally.”.However other leaders rejected federal involvement..“We don’t need the Act,” said Québec Premier François Legault. “We are in control. We don’t need or want the RCMP in Québec. It is a major error to say we may have the RCMP in Québec.”.“It’s not a question of jurisdiction” said Legault. “I am talking about politics.”.New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said he saw no federal role in managing protests in his province..“We announced re-openings,” said Higgs. “People can see we have a path forward. It’s not a win for protesters or a loss for science.”.“If there are measures required for Ontario, then that is one factor and there could be a rationale for that,” said Higgs. “But the rationale across the country, it would be an inflaming act if applied nationwide beyond Ottawa.”.“The situation in Ottawa is completely disgusting,” said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston..“Everyone knows that needs to be resolved. But we don’t have those issues in Nova Scotia. Our law enforcement has the tools they need.”.Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King also cited “the fear of inflaming this” by invoking the act..“Words matter and actions matter,” said King. “All can be guilty of over-politicizing this. We need to find a way to take the sharp edges off.”.Yukon Premier Sandy Silver said he was “fully supporting initiatives we are talking about” and only questioned if Trudeau had the votes in Parliament. .Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok said protests had no impact on his region since Nunavut has no territorial road network..The premiers and prime minister spoke at 10:15 am February 14. Trudeau's national security advisor minutes later at 11:44 am asked staff for “an assessment about the threat of these blockades.”.The cabinet announced the invocation of the act at 4:30 pm the same day..Minutes recorded the prime minister claiming cabinet made no decision when he spoke to premiers..“He stated he would like to consult premiers on the use of the Emergencies Act to assist our collective response efforts, emphasizing thee has not yet been a final decision by government to do this,” said minutes.
