The Liberal government received confidential polling that revealed many Canadians supported the Freedom Convoy, with a majority opposed to use of extraordinary police powers to end the protest, documents show. “Most felt this action represented significant over-reach,” pollsters told the Privy Council Office..“Though a small number of participants felt implementing the Emergencies Act was a necessary step given the disturbance caused by the seemingly indefinite nature of the protests, most felt this action represented significant ‘over-reach’ by the federal government as they interpreted this as limiting the right of these Canadians to peaceful protest,” said a pollsters’ report..According to Blacklock's Reporter, the findings were based on federal focus groups held nationwide from February 2-28, as cabinet invoked the Act to end a truckers’ blockade outside Parliament. .“A significant number identified with the frustration expressed by the protesters regarding ongoing public health measures even if they disagreed with some of the methods,” said the report. “Among participants who were supportive of the protests and their aims, it was felt the protests had been mostly peaceful and that these individuals had the right to express their opinion.”.The report found that while some were hesitant to condone the disruption caused by the protests, most of those participants saw the general aims of the protest as justified..“A few participants expressed excitement regarding what they perceived as Canadians standing up for their rights and freedoms and were passionate in their support for these protests,” said the report. “A small number also felt media coverage of the protests had been primarily ‘one-sided’ and had unfairly portrayed the protests in a mostly negative light.”.The report also found that few Canadians surveyed supported use of the Emergencies Act. The fact cabinet suspended the Act after nine days in February was seen “as evidence the law should never have been used in the first place,” it said..The Liberal government invoked the Act from February 14 to 23. Emergency powers were used to freeze $7.8 million held in 267 bank and credit union accounts and 170 bitcoin wallets held by Freedom Convoy supporters. Funds were frozen under a 9/11-era law against Taliban fundraising, the Proceeds Of Crime And Terrorist Financing Act..A total 230 convoy supporters were also arrested. About half, a total 119, were charged with Criminal Code offences, mainly mischief..“For those who felt the Emergencies Act was a disproportionate response on the part of the federal government, many thought there were other steps that could have been taken prior to invoking this legislation,” said Canadians’ Views. “Most of these participants believed the protests to be primarily legal and peaceful and did not represent a public order emergency.”.“Some participants were particularly unnerved by the reports of protesters and their supporters having their bank accounts frozen and expressed anxiety at law enforcement being imbued with this power,” said the report. “A few expressed a growing lack of trust in the federal government which they felt was limiting the rights of Canadians to protest in a peaceful manner and were concerned the Emergencies Act could be used routinely going forward to limit public dissent.”.When asked how they felt the Government of Canada should have responded, those opposed to the Emergencies Act said more steps should have been taken by federal officials to open up a dialogue..“A small number of these participants felt that rather than denouncing the protests the federal government should have listened to them.”
