Emergency Act Timeline
13.5 months before the case was heard. Another 9+ months before the decision was released.
14 Feb 2022 - the Canadian government declares a Public Order Emergency
15 Feb - it issues Emergency Measures Regulations & an Emergency Economic Measures Order giving itself extraordinary powers, including the seizing of private bank accounts
These are historic events, the first time this legislation has been used since it became law in 1988. Within days, four distinct groups of people engage lawyers and file paperwork asking the courts to examine the government’s actions.
17 Feb - Kristen Nagle, with Canadian Frontline Nurses, files an application for Judicial Review of the government’s actions
18 Feb - the Canadian Civil Liberties Association does so
22 Feb - the Canadian Constitutional Foundation does so
23 Feb - four private citizens (called the Jost Applicants in the ruling) do so
It’s the role of the courts to uphold the laws of the land. It’s the role of the courts to determine whether government is acting within the constraints of the law or is overstepping its bounds. This system of checks and balances is designed to protect us from tyranny.
23 Feb 2022 - the government issues a Revoking Proclamation. This ends the Emergency and terminates the associated Regulations and Order
3 - 5 April 2023 - a hearing takes place in the Federal Court of Canada
A three-day hearing is held. Not in April 2022, but in April 2023, commencing more than a year after this historic event was formally declared over. A further 9 months and 18 days go by before the judge’s ruling sees the light of day.
23 Jan 2024 - a ruling is released
We don’t know why it took longer than a human pregnancy for our justice system to write up and publish this decision. What we do know is that, following its release, the Canadian government didn’t consider the matter carefully for even one full day. Within hours, the deputy Prime Minister said the government will appeal the decision.
infographic at top of page is also available here: TinyUrl.com/Emergency-Act-Timeline
A lot of people are going to want to sue the government now. What about people who had their bank accounts frozen? And I heard there is a 2 year time limit for responding legally to the use of the Emergencies Act...it may be that the govt has expensive constitutional lawyers that are protecting the Liberals from prosecution. The lying thieving dispecable liberals (and the soulless NDP that supports them).