Judge Rules That Justin Trudeau Violated Local Rights And Freedoms

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was recently deemed to have violated the local Charter of Rights and Freedoms by a judge who ruled against his use of the Emergencies Act in 2022 to quell the infamous truck drivers COVID-19 protests and Bitcoin fundraising.

The Context

In February 2022, a multitude protested mandates mandating full vaccination for truck drivers crossing the Canada-US border. Blockades on crucial roads paralyzed Ottawa, prompting a state of emergency declaration by the mayor. Trudeau then invoked the 1988 Emergencies Act to ban gatherings and cease crowdfunding efforts.

Despite a previous public inquiry in February affirming the alleged appropriateness of the government in invoking the Act, pressure by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Constitution Foundation prompted a judicial review. Earlier this week, a federal court concluded that Trudeau and his cabinet were indeed unjustified in their response.

Escalating Tensions

Canadian truckers, enjoying widespread support, faced disrupted crowdfunding attempts on GoFundMe. Consequently, the Freedom Convoy 2022 shifted to the Bitcoin-powered platform Tallycoin, raising at least $540,000, including a 1 BTC donation by Kraken Chief Jesse Powell. The initiative, named Honk Honk Hodl, emphasized resistance exhibited by Bitcoin to censorship in contrast to traditional financial structures.

The pivotal ruling by Justice Richard Mosley has become ammunition for the various political opponents of Trudeau, particularly as Canada approaches its upcoming elections next year, where the Conservatives are polling significantly ahead of the Liberal party. While Mosley acknowledged having more information than the government did when invoking the act, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that the government intends to appeal the decision.