Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino last night repeated a claim that Freedom Convoy protesters attempted to burn down an Ottawa apartment building..Mendicino made the remarks in committee testimony as MPs and senators questioned why the Liberal government declared a national emergency to end the protest..“Those of us who were here were generally aware of the boisterous atmosphere but it was far worse and criminal,” Mendicino.testified. There was “a high degree of anxiety, concern, frustration and anger which was regrettably justified,” he added..“When seniors can’t get around because public transportation can’t get to them, when people who live in apartment buildings find their front doors are locked and that fires are set in the hallways and corridors – ”.“Point of order,” interjected Conservative MP Glen Motz (Medicine Hat-Cardston, Alta.). “That statement right there was proven false by the Ottawa Police Service. There was no connection to the protesters whatsoever. For this Minister to suggest that, that is absolutely unacceptable.”.According to Blacklock’s Reporter, media and legislators had falsely claimed protesters on February 6 attempted to burn down an apartment building on Lisgar Street in Ottawa, located five blocks from the Freedom Convoy blockade. Ottawa police on April 6 confirmed two men charged with arson in the case were both Ottawans who had no connection to the convoy..An eleven-member special committee of MPs and senators is reviewing the Liberal government’s February 14 use of the Emergencies Act to end the truckers’ blockade outside Parliament. A total of 230 people were arrested, typically charged with mischief. Some $7.8 million in bank and credit union accounts belonging to convoy sympathizers were frozen by cabinet order..Legislators last night said they could not understand why the Liberal government required emergency powers to end the blockade. “Do you know section 134.1 of the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario?” asked Senator Claude Carignan (Que.)..The law states police may “order the removal and storage of a vehicle, cargo or debris that are directly or indirectly impeding or blocking the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.” The Highway Traffic Act was not enforced against protesters..“This was not the first highway blockade that ever happened in Canada,” said Senator Carignan: “In what way was it necessary to invoke the Emergencies Act to tow vehicles on Wellington Street? I mean, I’m speechless.”.“With all due respect the emergency situation at the end of January and in February was unprecedented,” replied Mendicino..“There were so many police there; not one of them wanted to order that trucks be towed?” asked Senator Carignan. “One of the issues was the tow trucks were not available,” replied Mendicino..“You could have bought some and towed them yourself without turning to the Emergencies Act,” said Carignan. “The Act gave the police to go into the vehicle, grab the keys, tow the truck and leave with it. You didn’t need the Emergencies Act.”.Bloc Québécois MP Rhéal Fortin (Riviere-du-Nord, Que.) characterized the federal response to the Freedom Convoy as inertia followed by overreaction. “You live in Ottawa, you heard honking, you witnessed the blockades in the streets, you’re the minister of public safety, and you are telling us there was nothing you could do?” asked Fortin. “You had no authority to do anything?”.“Anyone could come back and park anywhere in Ottawa and add a few trucks, set up a Jacuzzi and some barbecues and we’ll be here sitting on our hands and waiting a few weeks to finally say, ‘Oh, well, okay, we can invoke the Emergencies Act.’ Is that really what you’re saying?” asked Fortin. “No, not at all,” replied Mendicino..“Nobody seems to understand how a situation like this could have lasted so long as to lead us to this point,” said Fortin, who voted against the Liberal government’s use of the Emergencies Act. “It seems quite lax. It’s unacceptable, almost irresponsible, minister, with all due respect.”.Matthew Horwood is the Parliamentary Bureau Chief of the Western Standard.mhorwood@westernstandard.news.Twitter.com/@Matt_HorwoodWS
