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The Niagara Independent, February 25, 2022 \u2013<\/em> The most troubling aspect of the Trudeau government\u2019s unprecedented action to invoke the Emergencies Act<\/i> was not the suspension of civil liberties or the assault on Canadians\u2019 trust in its institutions of government, justice, and media, albeit these matters have given all Canadians reason to pause. The most troubling aspect of these past two weeks has been the roller coaster ride Canadians endured with the country\u2019s financial institutions. This wild ride has left many feeling queasy and weak-kneed.<\/p>\n When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on February 14 that he intended to invoke the never-used-before Emergencies Act,<\/i> he also revealed he was directing banks, credit unions, co-ops, loan companies and trusts to halt business with anyone who was associated with the Freedom Convoy protest. The PM explained this move was being made to cut off all financial resources to the protestors who were refusing to leave the streets of Ottawa.<\/p>\n The government employed financial measures ostensibly designed to combat international criminal gangs and terrorist financing. These expanded powers require financial institutions to provide reports on bank accounts so the government can learn of and track Canadians\u2019 financial transactions, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Financial institutions were tasked with the responsibility to identify from their client base all \u201cdesignated persons\u201d; those who \u201cdirectly or indirectly\u201d have participated in the protest, including people who donated through crowdfunding sites.<\/p>\n Under the Emergencies Act<\/i>, the financial institutions\u2019 actions do not require a court order and are protected from liability or any legal recourse. The actions taken by the government and financial institutions do not need to be made public.<\/p>\n Banks were ordered to effectively deplatform Canadians\u2019 financial services which, as CBC reported, would result in \u201cfrozen accounts, stranded money and cancelled credit cards.\u201d The PM and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland conducted press conferences to report that banks were actively freezing accounts. The PM stated anyone who gave large sums of money through GoFundMe and GiveSendGo \u201cshould be worried.\u201d Freeland stated those providing funding to the truckers were engaging in illicit activities.<\/p>\n Other ministers and government officials then heightening the rhetoric around the extraordinary measures. For example, Justice Minister David Lametti compared the Ottawa protests to acts of terrorism and, in one interview, warned those who donated to the \u201cpro-Trump movement\u201d \u201cought to be worried\u201d about their financial assets being frozen. In another media conference interim Ottawa police chief Steve Bell asserted, \u201cIf you are involved in this protest, we will actively look to identify you and follow up with financial sanctions and criminal charges \u2026 Absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n Just like the clickety-clack sounds of a roller coaster track as the cars are being hauled up to frightening heights, Canadians were being mesmerized by the government\u2019s hardline narrative. Chrystia Freeland gave a number of animated news conferences. In one she vowed banks would be freezing accounts at \u201can accelerated pace\u201d and protesters and their supporters would have no means to their assets. She forcibly stated, \u201cThe consequences are real and they will bite.\u201d<\/p>\n It was not until MPs began debating the Emergencies Act<\/i> in Parliament that the full picture emerged of what Canadians were thinking with that roller coaster car suspended at the heights of the ride. As Toronto Sun<\/i> reporter Anthony Furey described \u201cpeople are nervous and fearful\u201d and there was worry about \u201cjust how wide this dragnet goes\u201d because it appears \u201cit goes as wide as Trudeau wants it to go.\u201d Furey reasoned, \u201cThere aren\u2019t any court orders required before freezing people\u2019s bank accounts. Reviews will happen after excesses have occurred.\u201d<\/p>\n Canadians learned of disturbing incidents such as the Ottawa caf\u00e9 owner who had to close her doors due to repeated threats after local media reported that she gave food and $250 to the truckers. There were accounts from seniors, business owners \u2013 even a single mom \u2013 all who had their accounts frozen. And, a farm credit union on the prairies that drew up a blacklist to begin suspending its loans to farm families.<\/p>\n What happened next is a blur. Monday morning headlines of every major news media screamed that \u201cRCMP, banks and Ottawa say convoy protest donors won\u2019t have accounts frozen after viral tweet said otherwise.\u201d Freeland held a news conference in which she suggested accounts would be unfrozen if people simply promised to no longer support the protest.<\/p>\n And just as a rocketing roller car will swing and jolt its occupants, Canadians learned:<\/p>\n The car then came to an abrupt stop and Canadians were told to exit the ride.<\/p>\n But really, what has just happened here? Wednesday afternoon Senator Leo Housakos tweeted out what many Canadians were wondering, \u201cI\u2019d love to think the PM finally did the right thing because it was the right thing to do. But that\u2019s never Justin Trudeau\u2019s motivation. Poll numbers dropped through the floor and a run on the banks.\u201d The Senator added, \u201cWho in their right mind would keep $$$ in a Canadian bank at this point?\u201d<\/p>\n There are many theories that try to reason the swift announcements of Wednesday, everything from the nervousness of the PMO that the Senate would vote down the Emergencies Act<\/i> to bad polling numbers and international press, to the fact the government had completed their financial data dump and now have the records they were after. There is also conjecture of a link between the government\u2019s financial powerplay and its commitments to reset the Canadian economy (and more on this next week with a look at \u201cThe WEF and the Liberals\u2019 agenda for Canada\u201d<\/i>).<\/p>\n The government\u2019s inexplicable use of the Emergencies Act<\/i> drew great criticism beyond Canada\u2019s borders. A particularly pointed editorial from the Wall Street Journal<\/i> is indicative of the stinging indictment of Trudeau\u2019s overreach. The WSJ wrote: \u201cIn abusing these powers for a nonemergency, Mr. Trudeau crossed a democratic line\u2026 Mr. Trudeau criminalized a protest movement, deputizing financial institutions, without due process or liability, to find and freeze personal accounts of blockaders and anyone who helps them. These extraordinary measures are a needless abuse of power.\u201d<\/p>\n Yes, it was truly a hell of a ride, and it is little wonder some Canadians still feel motion sickness.<\/p>\n Chris George<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is an Ottawa-based government affairs advisor and wordsmith, president of\u00a0CG&A COMMUNICATIONS<\/a>. Contact:\u00a0ChrisG.George@gmail.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n