Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invokes Emergencies Act over Canadian trucker blockades

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that he will invoke the Emergencies Act in response to the ongoing "Freedom Convoy" by Canadian truckers against COVID-19 mandates.

"After discussing with cabinet and caucus, after consultation with premiers from all provinces and territories, after speaking with opposition leaders, the federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations," Trudeau said during a news conference.

The act, which replaced the War Measures Act in the 1980s, has never been invoked by the Canadian government before this point, CBC reports.

"The scope of these measures will be time limited, geographically targeted as well as reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address the emergencies act will be used to strengthen and support law enforcement agencies at all levels across the country," the prime minister told reporters. 

The Liberal Party leader said the goal of the act is "to restore order in places where public assemblies can constitute illegal and dangerous activities such as blockades and occupations as seen in Ottawa."

Trudeau last week blamed Americans for the COVID protest, which was against pandemic requirements in his country.

Canada's Ambassador Bridge into Detroit, Michigan, reopened Monday after anti-mandate protesters shut down the bridge for more than a week.