Local MP votes against invoking Emergencies Act

Feb 22, 2022 | 10:25 AM

After several days of debate, members of parliament voted to approve a motion to give the federal government extraordinary, time-limited measures in the Emergencies Act.

The vote passed mostly along party lines.

Mel Arnold, the Conservative MP for North Okanagan-Shuswap, was opposed to the measure that was used to deal with the ongoing convoy protest, which happened over the weekend, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has so far, not brought it to an end.

“Today, I voted against the federal government’s unnecessary and divisive invocation of the Emergencies Act that the government has used to bestow unprecedented powers on itself without even providing a date or conditions for rescinding the powers,” Arnold said in a statement. “Section 16 of the act clearly reserves its powers for countering ‘an emergency that arises from threats to the security of Canada and that is so serious as to be a national emergency.'”

Arnold says since the act was invoked on Feb. 14, the government has failed to justify the need for the unprecedented and sweeping powers and failed to explain why they have chosen to use powers of last resort as their first resort.

Class A, B Fire Restrictions

RDNO to implement fire bans in coordination with BCWS

31m ago

Housing Market

North Okanagan housing prices starting to climb

1h ago

Fire Bans

Category 2 and 3 Fire Bans taking effect Thursday

23h ago

“Today [Monday], the Prime Minister was pressed by reporters and Conservatives on what specific power of the Emergencies Act is necessary and he cited the power to compel tow truck drivers to tow illegally parked vehicles. Tow truck drivers have been compelled, illegally parked vehicles have been towed and blockades have been resolved and yet the Prime Minister insists on clinging to emergency powers,” Arnold remarked.

Mel Arnold, Conservative MP for North Okanagan-Shuswap (Photo credit: Mel Arnold)

Arnold was also not impressed that Trudeau suggested Monday’s vote was a confidence vote capable of triggering a second election in less than a year.

“Canadians do not need another election, nor do they need government overreach; they need leadership and a plan to guide Canada out of the crises we must overcome, together,” Arnold stated.

Monday’s vote passed 185-151 with the New Democrats voting in favour alongside the minority Liberal government.

New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh said earlier Monday his party would support the motion but would withdraw that support as soon as it decides the measures are no longer necessary, including if remaining convoy members stopped lingering in Ottawa and near border crossings.

Both the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois opposed it, while the two Green MPs in the House were split.

Joel Lightbound, a Liberal MP who has criticized the government over its handling of the crisis, said invoking the act was “a slippery slope.”

He said he would be inclined to vote against the measures if it were not a vote of confidence, and asked for clarification from ministers.

He also voted in favour of the motion Monday night.

(With files from The Canadian Press)

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments