Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said she admired truck drivers for helping keep Canada running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. .“The work that is truly essential is healthcare workers, it’s people who work in grocery stores, and it is absolutely truckers,” said Freeland at a Thursday press conference. .“I’m glad to recognize that today and to say to all of you thank you very much.” .Freeland said truck driving is “the work that keeps our economy moving, that keeps our shelves stocked.” .She said COVID-19 showed truck driving is essential work. .This change in language comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to respond to the Freedom Convoy in February. .READ MORE: UPDATED: Trudeau invokes the Emergencies Act in Canada.Trudeau said it has become clear there are “serious challenges” for authorities to effectively enforce the law..“After discussing with cabinet and caucus, after consultation with premiers from all provinces and territories, after speaking with opposition leaders, the federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations,” he said. .The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) initiated a lawsuit against the Canadian government for invoking the Emergencies Act in February. .READ MORE: Legal challenge of Trudeau’s ‘illegal’ Emergencies Act.“The federal government invoked the Emergencies Act as a matter of political convenience,” said CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn. .“This is illegal and violates the rule of law, and that’s why we are challenging the government in court.”
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said she admired truck drivers for helping keep Canada running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. .“The work that is truly essential is healthcare workers, it’s people who work in grocery stores, and it is absolutely truckers,” said Freeland at a Thursday press conference. .“I’m glad to recognize that today and to say to all of you thank you very much.” .Freeland said truck driving is “the work that keeps our economy moving, that keeps our shelves stocked.” .She said COVID-19 showed truck driving is essential work. .This change in language comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to respond to the Freedom Convoy in February. .READ MORE: UPDATED: Trudeau invokes the Emergencies Act in Canada.Trudeau said it has become clear there are “serious challenges” for authorities to effectively enforce the law..“After discussing with cabinet and caucus, after consultation with premiers from all provinces and territories, after speaking with opposition leaders, the federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations,” he said. .The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) initiated a lawsuit against the Canadian government for invoking the Emergencies Act in February. .READ MORE: Legal challenge of Trudeau’s ‘illegal’ Emergencies Act.“The federal government invoked the Emergencies Act as a matter of political convenience,” said CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn. .“This is illegal and violates the rule of law, and that’s why we are challenging the government in court.”