Ottawa Interim Police Chief Steve Bell yesterday said he never asked the Liberal government to invoke the Emergencies Act against the Freedom Convoy blockade..The federal government repeatedly claimed it was “acting on the advice of law enforcement” when it proclaimed a national emergency over the protests..According to Blacklock's Reporter, Bell yesterday testified his police department was part of a joint command “between ourselves, the RCMP and Ontario Provincial Police in and about the first week of the convoy” on January 28. Bell denied asking the Liberals to declare a federal emergency..“Did the Ottawa police make a request of the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act?” asked Conservative MP Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle)..“We did not make a direct request for the Emergencies Act,” replied Bell..RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki in May 11 testimony at a Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency, also denied asking for extraordinary powers..“Did you ask the government or representatives for invocation of the Emergencies Act?” asked Senator Vernon White (Ont.)..“No,” replied Lucki..Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told the House Commons and committees 11 times the Act was invoked by police request..“We invoked the Emergencies Act after we received advice from law enforcement,” Mendicino told the Commons on May 3..“We had to invoke the Emergencies Act and we did so on the basis of non-partisan professional advice from law enforcement,” Mendicino said February 28..Scheer yesterday questioned Mendicino. “The Liberals get very squirrely when I ask these lines of questioning,” said Scheer. “The RCMP deny asking for the Emergencies Act. Minister Mendicino can’t name which agency. I think that’s very telling.".When Scheer asked Medicino what police agency had asked for the Emergencies Act, the public safety minister replied "there was a consultation.".Bell yesterday testified there was no evidence Freedom Convoy protesters occupied any buildings, but said demonstrators "terrorized" the city. He withdrew the remark when challenged..“We actually saw our streets occupied with trucks, with vehicles, with people that were terrorizing our community,” said Bell. “That’s what we saw. That’s the reality.”.“Can you please define what you meant by ‘terrorized’ and whether anyone was charged with an act of terrorism under Canada’s Criminal Code during, before or after the Emergencies Act?” asked Conservative MP Brad Vis (Mission-Matsqui, B.C.)..“I can absolutely clarify that,” replied Bell. “There were no acts of terrorism. There were no charges laid around any of those acts.”.A total 280 people were arrested, records show. Most were charged with mischief.
