Freedom Convoy Hearings Begin Today

A judge, assisted by 22 lawyers, will examine the use of the Emergencies Act.

click here for the Emergency Commission website

This blog is about ordinary people. It tells the stories of the truckers who participated in the Freedom Convoy, and the stories of those who supported them. Who drove hundreds and thousands of miles to Ottawa in the dead of winter? Who gathered on highway overpasses from end of the country to the other? Who provided moral and financial assistance after the truckers had settled in?

What were these people’s reasons? What did they witness and experience?

There’s a much broader story to be told, of course. Beginning today, and running until Nov. 25, public hearings will examine how the powers-that-be responded to the Freedom Convoy. On what basis did the Prime Minister invoke the never-before-used Emergencies Act?

The Public Order Emergency Commission is headed by Justice Paul Rouleau, whose biographical details can be seen here. A few days ago, a francophone news outlet published an extended interview with Rouleau that explores his lifelong efforts to ensure French-speaking Ontario residents have access to a French-speaking justice system. Google’s automatic translation is here. This past July, he was awarded an honorary degree by the Ontario Law Society.

Rouleau will be assisted by no less than 22 lawyers, three policy advisors, seven researchers, and two staff members. The Commission says the hearings will begin each day at 9:30 am and will be live-streamed on its website HERE.

The Commission is on Twitter here.