OTTAWA — Canada’s national spy agency believed invoking the Emergencies Act to deal with the self-styled “Freedom Convoy” protests last winter could ratchet up tensions, fuel radical anti-government sentiments and increase the risk of extremist violence, the Emergencies Act inquiry heard Monday. The CSIS document was revealed as Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens testified to the inquiry about the convoy blockade of the Ambassador Bridge. Over 18 days of testimony, the Emergencies Act inquiry has seen evidence of police intelligence that showed law enforcement agencies believed the convoy movement — launched to protest COVID-19 health measures — included anti-government activists and threats to public safety and police officers. Describing police concerns that protesters could return in even greater numbers, Dilkens said the Emergencies Act would send a signal that any new blockade would not be tolerated. By Feb. 7, the Windsor blockade had taken hold.

Source: thestar November 07, 2022 17:13 UTC