Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday that Canada will end the rarely used emergency measures used nine days ago to deal with weeks-long protests that shut some border crossings and paralysed Ottawa since late January.

"The situation is no longer an emergency. Therefore, the federal government will be ending the use of the Emergencies Act," he told a news conference.

"We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-justin-trudeaus-government-fires-a-woman-for-donating-100-to-protesters-454906">Canada: Justin Trudeau's government fires a woman for donating $100 to protesters</a>

Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada's governor-general will formally revoke the emergency measures in the coming hours.

Following Trudeau's announcement last week, the Emergencies Act was approved by the House of Commons on Monday, but not without opposition.

Invoking the powers was seen by the main opposition Conservative Party and some provincial leaders as overreaching.

The government said that the use of these powers would have a time limit. According to Trudeau, the powers were needed because the blockades threatened the economy and the public and because they helped coordinate the police forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/major-win-for-pm-justin-trudeau-canadas-parliament-approves-emergencies-act-455220">Major win for PM Justin Trudeau: Canada's parliament approves Emergencies Act</a>

"Trudeau backs down," Pierre Poilievre, a Conservative lawmaker who is running for leadership of the party, said on Twitter. "Thank you to all who fought this abuse of power."

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These powers included freezing the accounts of those suspected of supporting the blockades without obtaining a court order.

According to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, the purpose of freezing the accounts was "to convince people who took part in the occupation and the illegal blockades to listen to reason," adding that the government had already ordered banks to unfreeze the accounts.

The aim of freezing the accounts was &nbsp;Freeland said, adding that the government had already asked banks to begin "to unfreeze these bank accounts."

Watch |&nbsp;Canada: Freedom convoy protests end in Ottawa but Justin Trudeau still backs emergency powers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/canada-freedom-convoy-protests-end-in-ottawa-but-justin-trudeau-still-backs-emergency-powers-455544/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ontario has also ended a state of emergency it declared earlier this month in response to protests.

The protests, which began as opposition to Trudeau's minority Liberal government's mandate on vaccinations for truck drivers, were put to an end over the weekend in Ottawa.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday that Canada will end the rarely used emergency measures used nine days ago to deal with weeks-long protests that shut some border crossings and paralysed Ottawa since late January.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday that Canada will end the rarely used emergency measures used nine days ago to deal with weeks-long protests that shut some border crossings and paralysed Ottawa since late January. "The situation is no longer an emergency. Therefore, the federal government will be ending the use of the Emergencies Act," he told a news conference. "We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe," he said. Also read | Canada: Justin Trudeau's government fires a woman for donating $100 to protesters Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada's governor-general will formally revoke the emergency measures in the coming hours. Following Trudeau's announcement last week, the Emergencies Act was approved by the House of Commons on Monday, but not without opposition. Invoking the powers was seen by the main opposition Conservative Party and some provincial leaders as overreaching. The government said that the use of these powers would have a time limit. According to Trudeau, the powers were needed because the blockades threatened the economy and the public and because they helped coordinate the police forces. Also read | Major win for PM Justin Trudeau: Canada's parliament approves Emergencies Act "Trudeau backs down," Pierre Poilievre, a Conservative lawmaker who is running for leadership of the party, said on Twitter. "Thank you to all who fought this abuse of power." BREAKING: Trudeau backs down. Will drop Emergencies Act. Thank you to all who fought this abuse of power. pic.twitter.com/Aj4L74ZTli — pierrepoilievre (@PierrePoilievre) February 23, 2022 × These powers included freezing the accounts of those suspected of supporting the blockades without obtaining a court order. According to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, the purpose of freezing the accounts was "to convince people who took part in the occupation and the illegal blockades to listen to reason," adding that the government had already ordered banks to unfreeze the accounts. The aim of freezing the accounts was Freeland said, adding that the government had already asked banks to begin "to unfreeze these bank accounts." Watch | Canada: Freedom convoy protests end in Ottawa but Justin Trudeau still backs emergency powers Ontario has also ended a state of emergency it declared earlier this month in response to protests. The protests, which began as opposition to Trudeau's minority Liberal government's mandate on vaccinations for truck drivers, were put to an end over the weekend in Ottawa. (With inputs from agencies)

'Trudeau backs down': Canadian PM revokes emergency powers

The truckers' siege in Canada has ended but a state of emergency persists. PM Justin Trudeau says he needs emergency powers to maintain public order. His critics are calling this an 'overreach'. Is Trudeau abusing his power? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Is Justin Trudeau abusing his power?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he will activate rarely used emergency powers, including cutting off financing, to end protests that have shut some border crossings and paralyzed parts of the capital.

PM Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers to quell truckers' protest in Canada

To quell the protests, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked emergency powers. &nbsp;

Several truckers and others have paralysed Ottawa and have blocked border crossings to demand an end to the COVID-19 restrictions in the country. &nbsp;

With this move, the PM has followed in the footsteps of his father former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He has also become the only leader in Canada since his father 50 years ago to declare a state of emergency in peacetime. His father had made the move in October 1970.

Ruling out use of the military, Trudeau said on Monday that the emergency measures "will be time-limited, geographically targeted, as well as reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-ontario-to-lift-covid-vaccine-passport-requirement-453292" hreflang="en">Canada's Ontario to lift Covid vaccine passport requirement</a>

The emergency powers have been rarely used in the country. &nbsp;

Under the Emergencies Act, the government has introduced several measures intended to cut off funding of protesters and took steps to reinforce provincial and local law enforcement with federal police. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-police-arrest-protesters-to-open-key-trade-route-with-us-453071" hreflang="en">Canada police arrest protesters to open key trade route with US</a>

"The blockades are harming our economy and endangering public safety. We cannot and will not allow illegal and dangerous activities to continue," Trudeau told a press briefing. &nbsp;

However, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said that the government had not met the standard for invoking the Emergencies Act intended to deal with threats to "sovereignty, security and territorial integrity." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

To quell the protests, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked emergency powers. Several truckers and others have paralysed Ottawa and have blocked border crossings to demand an end to the COVID-19 restrictions in the country.

To quell the protests, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked emergency powers. Several truckers and others have paralysed Ottawa and have blocked border crossings to demand an end to the COVID-19 restrictions in the country. With this move, the PM has followed in the footsteps of his father former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He has also become the only leader in Canada since his father 50 years ago to declare a state of emergency in peacetime. His father had made the move in October 1970. Ruling out use of the military, Trudeau said on Monday that the emergency measures "will be time-limited, geographically targeted, as well as reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address." Also Read: Canada's Ontario to lift Covid vaccine passport requirement The emergency powers have been rarely used in the country. Under the Emergencies Act, the government has introduced several measures intended to cut off funding of protesters and took steps to reinforce provincial and local law enforcement with federal police. Also Read: Canada police arrest protesters to open key trade route with US "The blockades are harming our economy and endangering public safety. We cannot and will not allow illegal and dangerous activities to continue," Trudeau told a press briefing. However, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said that the government had not met the standard for invoking the Emergencies Act intended to deal with threats to "sovereignty, security and territorial integrity." (With inputs from agencies)

Following father’s footsteps, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers to end protests

Hong Kong is a long way from having to declare emergency powers or to ask the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-crisis-china-rejected-hong-kong-plan-to-appease-protesters-report-246541">Chinese military to intervene</a>, a senior official with China's parliament and pro-Beijing Hong Kong politician told Reuters, as months of protests show no sign of abating.

Hong Kong has been engulfed in angry and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-pro-democracy-activist-joshua-wong-arrested-party-says-246501"> sometimes violent protests</a> against the government since mid-June, sparked by a now-suspended extradition bill and concerns that Beijing was trying to bring the territory under greater mainland control.

Police fired water cannon and tear gas at anti-government demonstrators on Sunday, and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned later that authorities would be forced to stamp down on the escalating violence.

Maria Tam, deputy director of the Chinese parliament's Basic Law Committee, told Reuters in Beijing late on Thursday emergency legislation was not something for which Hong Kong's government would have to ask Beijing's permission.

"The emergency legislation is something that is left behind by the colonial British government. It's nothing to do with the Basic Law. It's entirely in the power of the highly autonomous region," Tam said, referring to the mini-constitution under which Hong Kong has been ruled since the 1997 return to China.

"At the moment there are still plenty of tools. We have different articles in the police force ordinance and articles in the public order ordinance which we can still invoke to control the situation. We haven't got to the stage when we really have to engage in enacted laws by the chief executive with the executive council to, for example, enact anti-mask or interception of internet messages. We're quite a distance from that," she said.

However, there may come a stage when Hong Kong has to do this, Tam said.

"I think if its come to the stage when all the other ordinances I have mentioned have failed to work, then I suppose the chief executive may have to consider it," she said.

Troop rotation

The Basic Law enshrines rights and freedoms - including freedom of speech, assembly and an independent judiciary - inherent in the "one country, two systems" formula that underpinned the agreement between Beijing and London.

Those freedoms remain far greater than those that exist on the mainland, where the Communist Party ultimately controls many aspects of society, including the media and the courts.

China rotated troops in its People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong on Thursday, days before protesters planned to hold a march calling for full democracy in the Asian financial hub. [nL3N25P0EH]

Chinese state media described the troop movement as routine and Asian and Western diplomats watching PLA movements in the former British colony had been expecting it.

Tam said, under Article 14 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong government can make a request for the Chinese military in the event of natural disaster or extreme cases of disorder.

Any request would have to go first to China's Cabinet and then to the Guangzhou military command that is in charge of the Hong Kong garrison, she said.

However, Tam said she did not think Hong Kong had reached that stage yet. "Oh no, no, we are a long way from that."

The central government in Beijing has repeatedly expressed support for Lam and her administration, a message Tam said she had gotten from officials in the capital.

"I'm not important enough to see President Xi, but I have seen some senior government officials consistently saying, 'yes, (we) support Carrie Lam'," she said.

"There's one more question that I will ask you - who will replace her? She should carry on and put right whatever has gone wrong," Tam said.

Pressed on whether Lam would be replaced, she said that was not likely. "I don't see it happening."

Hong Kong is a long way from having to declare emergency powers or to ask the Chinese military to intervene, a senior official with China's parliament and pro-Beijing Hong Kong politician told Reuters, as months of protests show no sign of abating.

Hong Kong is a long way from having to declare emergency powers or to ask the Chinese military to intervene, a senior official with China's parliament and pro-Beijing Hong Kong politician told Reuters, as months of protests show no sign of abating. Hong Kong has been engulfed in angry and sometimes violent protests against the government since mid-June, sparked by a now-suspended extradition bill and concerns that Beijing was trying to bring the territory under greater mainland control. Police fired water cannon and tear gas at anti-government demonstrators on Sunday, and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned later that authorities would be forced to stamp down on the escalating violence. Maria Tam, deputy director of the Chinese parliament's Basic Law Committee, told Reuters in Beijing late on Thursday emergency legislation was not something for which Hong Kong's government would have to ask Beijing's permission. "The emergency legislation is something that is left behind by the colonial British government. It's nothing to do with the Basic Law. It's entirely in the power of the highly autonomous region," Tam said, referring to the mini-constitution under which Hong Kong has been ruled since the 1997 return to China. "At the moment there are still plenty of tools. We have different articles in the police force ordinance and articles in the public order ordinance which we can still invoke to control the situation. We haven't got to the stage when we really have to engage in enacted laws by the chief executive with the executive council to, for example, enact anti-mask or interception of internet messages. We're quite a distance from that," she said. However, there may come a stage when Hong Kong has to do this, Tam said. "I think if its come to the stage when all the other ordinances I have mentioned have failed to work, then I suppose the chief executive may have to consider it," she said. Troop rotation The Basic Law enshrines rights and freedoms - including freedom of speech, assembly and an independent judiciary - inherent in the "one country, two systems" formula that underpinned the agreement between Beijing and London. Those freedoms remain far greater than those that exist on the mainland, where the Communist Party ultimately controls many aspects of society, including the media and the courts. China rotated troops in its People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong on Thursday, days before protesters planned to hold a march calling for full democracy in the Asian financial hub. [nL3N25P0EH] Chinese state media described the troop movement as routine and Asian and Western diplomats watching PLA movements in the former British colony had been expecting it. Tam said, under Article 14 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong government can make a request for the Chinese military in the event of natural disaster or extreme cases of disorder. Any request would have to go first to China's Cabinet and then to the Guangzhou military command that is in charge of the Hong Kong garrison, she said. However, Tam said she did not think Hong Kong had reached that stage yet. "Oh no, no, we are a long way from that." The central government in Beijing has repeatedly expressed support for Lam and her administration, a message Tam said she had gotten from officials in the capital. "I'm not important enough to see President Xi, but I have seen some senior government officials consistently saying, 'yes, (we) support Carrie Lam'," she said. "There's one more question that I will ask you - who will replace her? She should carry on and put right whatever has gone wrong," Tam said. Pressed on whether Lam would be replaced, she said that was not likely. "I don't see it happening."

No need yet for Hong Kong to use emergency powers: Senior parliamentary official

President Donald Trump and senior Democrats failed to strike a deal in talks on Friday to end a partial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">shutdown of the US government</a> as they again fought over Trump`s request for over $5 billion to fund his signature wall on the Mexican border.&nbsp;

After Democratic congressional leaders turned Trump down at a meeting in the White House Situation Room, the Republican president threatened to take the controversial step of using emergency powers to build the wall without approval from Congress.

Trump is withholding his support for a bill that would fully fund the government until he secures the money for the wall. As a result around 800,000 public workers have been unpaid, with about a quarter of the federal government closed for two weeks.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats had told Trump during the meeting to end the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-approves-bill-to-avert-government-shutdown-excludes-mexico-border-wall-funding-185405">shutdown</a>. "He resisted," Schumer said. "In fact, he said he`d keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years."

Trump confirmed that comment but painted a more positive picture of the meeting, the first since a new era of divided government began when Democrats took control of the House of Representatives on Thursday.&nbsp;

"We had a very, very productive meeting, and we`ve come a long way," Trump said.

According to a source familiar with the White House discussion, Trump opened the meeting with a speech that lasted at least 15 minutes in which he insisted on the need for $5.6 billion for a border wall.

The source also said Trump brought up recent impeachment threats during those remarks, arguing that he had notched a strong performance as president and should not be a target for impeachment.

National emergency?

Raising the stakes in his tussle with the newly emboldened Democrats, Trump threatened extraordinary measures to build the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States.

Asked by a reporter whether he had considered declaring a national emergency to build the wall, Trump said: "Yes, I have ... I may do it ... we can call a national emergency and build it very quickly."

He said he could declare a national emergency "because of the security of our country, absolutely."

Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the comments, saying in a statement, "Declaring a trumped-up national emergency in order to skirt congressional approval is wrong."&nbsp;

The US Constitution assigns Congress the power over funding the federal government so Trump likely would face legal challenges if he tried to bypass Congress on financing the wall. Building a wall - and having Mexico pay for it - was one of Trump`s main promises when he ran for president in 2016.

Trump's wall project is estimated to cost about $23 billion.

Democrats have called the wall immoral, ineffective and medieval.

Nancy Pelosi, the newly elected Democratic speaker of the House, said Friday's meeting with Trump was "sometimes contentious" but that they agreed to continue talking.

"But we recognise on the Democratic side that we really cannot resolve this until we open up government and we made that very clear to the president," she said.&nbsp;

Credit rating agency Moody`s says the shutdown will cause minimal US economic and credit market disruption but there could be a more severe impact on financial markets and the broad economy if the closure is protracted.

A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll last week showed that 50 per cent of the public blame Trump for the shutdown and 7 per cent blame Republican lawmakers, while 32 per cent blame Democrats.

In a December 11 meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, Trump said he would be "proud" to shut the government over the security issue and would not blame Democrats. He has since said they are responsible.&nbsp;

White House officials and congressional staffers will meet at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) on Saturday to try to end the impasse, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said.

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters that Trump had named Vice President Mike Pence, senior aide Jared Kushner and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to work over the weekend.

The partial shutdown is straining the country`s immigration system, worsening backlogs in courts and complicating hiring for employers.

Federal agencies such as the Justice Department, Commerce Department and departments of Agriculture, Labor, Interior and Treasury have been hit by the shutdown.

House Ways and Means Committee chairman Richard Neal, a Democrat, asked the Internal Revenue Service in a letter on Friday to explain the possible effects of the shutdown on the upcoming tax filing season for millions of Americans.

President Donald Trump and senior Democrats failed to strike a deal in talks on Friday to end a partial shutdown of the US government as they again fought over Trump`s request for over $5 billion to fund his signature wall on the Mexican border.

President Donald Trump and senior Democrats failed to strike a deal in talks on Friday to end a partial shutdown of the US government as they again fought over Trump`s request for over $5 billion to fund his signature wall on the Mexican border. After Democratic congressional leaders turned Trump down at a meeting in the White House Situation Room, the Republican president threatened to take the controversial step of using emergency powers to build the wall without approval from Congress. Trump is withholding his support for a bill that would fully fund the government until he secures the money for the wall. As a result around 800,000 public workers have been unpaid, with about a quarter of the federal government closed for two weeks. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats had told Trump during the meeting to end the shutdown. "He resisted," Schumer said. "In fact, he said he`d keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years." Trump confirmed that comment but painted a more positive picture of the meeting, the first since a new era of divided government began when Democrats took control of the House of Representatives on Thursday. "We had a very, very productive meeting, and we`ve come a long way," Trump said. According to a source familiar with the White House discussion, Trump opened the meeting with a speech that lasted at least 15 minutes in which he insisted on the need for $5.6 billion for a border wall. The source also said Trump brought up recent impeachment threats during those remarks, arguing that he had notched a strong performance as president and should not be a target for impeachment. National emergency? Raising the stakes in his tussle with the newly emboldened Democrats, Trump threatened extraordinary measures to build the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States. Asked by a reporter whether he had considered declaring a national emergency to build the wall, Trump said: "Yes, I have ... I may do it ... we can call a national emergency and build it very quickly." He said he could declare a national emergency "because of the security of our country, absolutely." Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the comments, saying in a statement, "Declaring a trumped-up national emergency in order to skirt congressional approval is wrong." The US Constitution assigns Congress the power over funding the federal government so Trump likely would face legal challenges if he tried to bypass Congress on financing the wall. Building a wall - and having Mexico pay for it - was one of Trump`s main promises when he ran for president in 2016. Trump's wall project is estimated to cost about $23 billion. Democrats have called the wall immoral, ineffective and medieval. Nancy Pelosi, the newly elected Democratic speaker of the House, said Friday's meeting with Trump was "sometimes contentious" but that they agreed to continue talking. "But we recognise on the Democratic side that we really cannot resolve this until we open up government and we made that very clear to the president," she said. Credit rating agency Moody`s says the shutdown will cause minimal US economic and credit market disruption but there could be a more severe impact on financial markets and the broad economy if the closure is protracted. A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll last week showed that 50 per cent of the public blame Trump for the shutdown and 7 per cent blame Republican lawmakers, while 32 per cent blame Democrats. In a December 11 meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, Trump said he would be "proud" to shut the government over the security issue and would not blame Democrats. He has since said they are responsible. White House officials and congressional staffers will meet at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) on Saturday to try to end the impasse, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters that Trump had named Vice President Mike Pence, senior aide Jared Kushner and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to work over the weekend. The partial shutdown is straining the country`s immigration system, worsening backlogs in courts and complicating hiring for employers. Federal agencies such as the Justice Department, Commerce Department and departments of Agriculture, Labor, Interior and Treasury have been hit by the shutdown. House Ways and Means Committee chairman Richard Neal, a Democrat, asked the Internal Revenue Service in a letter on Friday to explain the possible effects of the shutdown on the upcoming tax filing season for millions of Americans.

US shutdown talks falter, Trump threatens emergency powers

The incoming Philippines transportation chief said today President-elect Rodrigo Duterte should be given emergency powers by Congress for two years to solve a debilitating traffic crisis in the capital Manila and elsewhere. 
 
The emergency powers will quicken the release of government funds aimed at declogging main roads that have hurt businesses and the overall economy. 
 
Transporation secretary Arthur Tugade, speaking on the sidelines of a business conference, cited the 2.4 billion Pesos ($52 million) in potential daily income lost due to the traffic problem based on a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. 
(Reuters)

The emergency powers will quicken the release of government funds aimed at removing traffic blockages

The incoming Philippines transportation chief said today President-elect Rodrigo Duterte should be given emergency powers by Congress for two years to solve a debilitating traffic crisis in the capital Manila and elsewhere. The emergency powers will quicken the release of government funds aimed at declogging main roads that have hurt businesses and the overall economy. Transporation secretary Arthur Tugade, speaking on the sidelines of a business conference, cited the 2.4 billion Pesos ($52 million) in potential daily income lost due to the traffic problem based on a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. (Reuters)

Incoming Philippines transport minister seeks emergency powers to fix traffic snarl

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