Quebec's National Assembly officially rejects use of Emergencies Act
Quebec's National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion Tuesday calling on the Canadian government not to apply the Emergencies Act on Quebec territory.
The motion was presented in the Salon Bleu by Québec Solidaire (QS) parliamentary leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. It was adopted unanimously without debate.
Nadeau-Dubois explained in a news briefing that he was concerned about the situation in Ontario and around certain border crossings, but that currently, in Quebec, there was no justification for applying the Emergencies Act.
"Lawyers often refer to this law as a legislative nuclear option. At the moment, there is no objective situation on Quebec territory that justifies the use of this weapon," he said.
The motion states that the National Assembly "is concerned about the current disturbances" but "there is no emergency situation that currently justifies the use of special legislative measures in Quebec."
It, thus, asks the Canadian government not to apply the Emergencies Act on Quebec territory.
However, the National Assembly "reiterates the importance of close cooperation between the federal government and the government of Quebec, particularly to ensure the peace and security of the citizens of the Outaouais."
QS house leader Christine Labrie asked that a copy of the motion be sent to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Nadeau-Dubois later said he was pleased to see the parties represented in the National Assembly speak with one voice.
"It sends a clear message to Justin Trudeau," he said.
Trudeau announced Monday that he was invoking the Emergencies Act, a first, to end the gridlock in downtown Ottawa.
He said that its use will be limited in time.
Before Trudeau made the announcement, Quebec Premier François Legault said in a news conference that he was categorically opposed.
Legault acknowledged, however, that he does not have the power to stop Ottawa from imposing its Emergencies Act in Quebec.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 15, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6960133.1720721138!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'A terrible tragedy': 4 dead in another multiple-fatality B.C. crash
A crash in Keremeos, B.C., Wednesday morning is the latest in a string of fatal collisions, this time claiming the lives of four people, Mounties say.
Biden forcefully declares he's staying in re-election race in major news conference
U.S. President Joe Biden used his highly anticipated news conference Thursday to deliver a forceful defense of his foreign and domestic policies, and batted away questions about his ability to serve another four years even as he flubbed a reference to Donald Trump in one of his first answers.
Trudeau says he still has 'full confidence' in Freeland, but has been talking to Carney
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he continues to have 'full confidence' in Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, but he's also been talking to Mark Carney about entering federal politics.
'An avoidable tragedy': Calgary woman charged after dog dies in hot car
A Calgary woman is facing charges for the death of her dog, which died after being left in a hot car on Canada Day.
Oilers star engaged to marry girlfriend after proposal in Spain
Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl is engaged to be married. The 28-year-old centre proposed marriage to his girlfriend, actor Celeste Desjardins, who said yes. Both posted about the engagement Thursday to their Instagram accounts.
Benji Gregory, former child star on the '80s sitcom 'ALF,' dies at 46
Former child actor Benji Gregory, who played the young boy on the 1980s television sitcom 'ALF,' has died in suburban Phoenix. He was 46.
Shelley Duvall, actress and iconic 'The Shining' heroine, has died
Shelley Duvall, the intrepid, Texas-born movie star whose wide-eyed, winsome presence was a mainstay in the films of Robert Altman and who co-starred in Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining,' has died. She was 75.
Mother of the 'miracle baby' found crawling by a highway faces a murder charge in older son's death
Three days after a 4-year-old boy's body was pulled from a southwest Louisiana lake, and two days after the child's 1-year-old brother was rescued while crawling beside an interstate highway, Louisiana authorities announced a murder charge against the children's mother.
McGill University on consequences for students, divesting after pro-Palestinian camp dismantled
McGill University says it hasn't ruled out expelling any students involved in the pro-Palestinian encampment on its campus.