A federal court ruled Tuesday that the Canadian government's use of emergency powers to dislodge the 2022 trucker-led protests that jammed the capital Ottawa's streets for weeks was "unreasonable."

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stood by the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act and said the government would appeal the court ruling.

The "Freedom Convoy" of big rigs drove into Ottawa at the end of January 2022 and stayed for nearly a month, causing traffic blockages and angering residents with nearly incessant honking and diesel fumes.&nbsp;

Major Canada-US trade corridors, including a bridge to Detroit that is the busiest international crossing in North America, were also cut off.

Ottawa's former police chief Peter Sloly had called the melee a "tinder box waiting to explode" but protest organisers -- some of whom are currently fighting related criminal charges -- have insisted their actions were legitimate pushback against government's pandemic policies.&nbsp;

Justice Richard Mosley ruled in the case brought forward by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that invoking the Emergencies Act "was not justified", "was unreasonable and led to the infringement of Charter rights."

Watch | Untangled: Plight of the Indian diaspora in Canada

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/untangled-plight-of-the-indian-diaspora-in-canada-639209/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

His ruling comes one year after a commission of inquiry led by former judge Paul Rouleau found the reverse -- that its use was "appropriate" and "a drastic move, but... not a dictatorial one."

Speaking to reporters in Montreal after the federal court decision was handed down, Freeland said "We do not agree with this decision, and respectfully, we will be appealing it."

"I would just like to take a moment to remind Canadians of how serious the situation was in our country when we took that decision," she said, referring to the complex scene on the ground that was plagued by a policing breakdown and escalating threats of violence.

"We were convinced at the time (that) it was the right thing to do, it was the necessary thing to do. I remain and we remain convinced of that," she added.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flight-carrying-rio-tinto-workers-crashes-in-canadas-far-north-some-onboard-killed-683113">Flight carrying Rio Tinto workers crashes in Canada’s far north, some onboard killed</a>

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc recalled, "The capital of a G7 country was effectively paralysed."

Police eventually moved in, towing the trucks out of Ottawa in a crackdown that saw nearly 200 arrests.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association's head Noa Mendelsohn Aviv said in a statement Tuesday that the extraordinary powers of the Emergencies Act, which had never been invoked before 2022, "should be used sparingly and carefully."

"They cannot be used even to address a massive and disruptive demonstration if that could have been dealt with through regular policing and laws," she said. 
&nbsp;

A federal court ruled Tuesday that the Canadian government's use of emergency powers to dislodge the 2022 trucker-led protests that jammed the capital Ottawa's streets for weeks was "unreasonable.

A federal court ruled Tuesday that the Canadian government's use of emergency powers to dislodge the 2022 trucker-led protests that jammed the capital Ottawa's streets for weeks was "unreasonable." Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stood by the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act and said the government would appeal the court ruling. The "Freedom Convoy" of big rigs drove into Ottawa at the end of January 2022 and stayed for nearly a month, causing traffic blockages and angering residents with nearly incessant honking and diesel fumes. Major Canada-US trade corridors, including a bridge to Detroit that is the busiest international crossing in North America, were also cut off. Ottawa's former police chief Peter Sloly had called the melee a "tinder box waiting to explode" but protest organisers -- some of whom are currently fighting related criminal charges -- have insisted their actions were legitimate pushback against government's pandemic policies. Justice Richard Mosley ruled in the case brought forward by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that invoking the Emergencies Act "was not justified", "was unreasonable and led to the infringement of Charter rights." Watch | Untangled: Plight of the Indian diaspora in Canada × His ruling comes one year after a commission of inquiry led by former judge Paul Rouleau found the reverse -- that its use was "appropriate" and "a drastic move, but... not a dictatorial one." Speaking to reporters in Montreal after the federal court decision was handed down, Freeland said "We do not agree with this decision, and respectfully, we will be appealing it." "I would just like to take a moment to remind Canadians of how serious the situation was in our country when we took that decision," she said, referring to the complex scene on the ground that was plagued by a policing breakdown and escalating threats of violence. "We were convinced at the time (that) it was the right thing to do, it was the necessary thing to do. I remain and we remain convinced of that," she added. Also Read | Flight carrying Rio Tinto workers crashes in Canada’s far north, some onboard killed Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc recalled, "The capital of a G7 country was effectively paralysed." Police eventually moved in, towing the trucks out of Ottawa in a crackdown that saw nearly 200 arrests. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association's head Noa Mendelsohn Aviv said in a statement Tuesday that the extraordinary powers of the Emergencies Act, which had never been invoked before 2022, "should be used sparingly and carefully." "They cannot be used even to address a massive and disruptive demonstration if that could have been dealt with through regular policing and laws," she said.

Canada govt’s use of Emergencies Act to dislodge truckers’ protest ‘unreasonable’: Court

After failing to distinguish between the Swastika and Adolf Hitler's 'Hakenkreuz,' or hooked cross, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian-origin lawmaker Jagmeet Singh created a new dispute.&nbsp;

A prominent Hindu organisation in the United States has advised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian-origin lawmaker Jagmeet Singh not to mix the "Swastika," an old and auspicious symbol for Hindus, with the "Hakenkreuz," a Nazi symbol of hatred from the 20th century.

"Swastikas and Confederate flags have no place in Canada," New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted amid major protests by hundreds of truck drivers over Canada's COVID-19 regulations. &nbsp;

Both Trudeau and Singh have recently made statements accusing demonstrators of "waving Swastikas."

The HinduPACT (Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective) has responded by urging Trudeau and Singh not to conflate the "Swastika," an ancient and auspicious symbol for Hindus, Buddhists, and many indigenous communities around the world, with the "Hakenkreuz," a Nazi symbol of hatred from the twentieth century.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Swastika and Hakenkreuz" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cd666ecf-6fcd-4b19-ae63-7c0c8e34ed29" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_224.jpg" /> 
 
(Picture courtesy: hindupact.org)

What is the difference between Swastika and Hakenkreuz?

The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit roots su (good) and asti (to prevail), and it has been employed in the Rig Veda's prayers, which indicate well-being, prosperity, or good fortune.

It is claimed to represent the four yugas, or cyclical seasons, the four ends or objectives of life, the four stages of existence, and the four Vedas in Hindu philosophy. In some places in India, Swastika is even a girl's name.&nbsp;

Swastika is typically made of flowers or written in red, yellow, or blue ink or paint.

As a result, it can be found in a variety of temples and religious ceremonies all over the world, as well as as a welcome sign in many South Asian households.&nbsp;

The "hakenkreuz," on the other hand, is generally recognised as a symbol of anti-Semitism, as Nazi persecution resulted in the deaths of about 11 million Jews during the Holocaust, and it represents trauma for many people today.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Gravitas: Freedom Convoy Protests: Trudeau "upsets" Hindus

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-freedom-convoy-protests-trudeau-upsets-hindus-454151/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
Watch | Gravitas: Why is the Swastika reviled by the west?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-is-the-swastika-reviled-by-the-west-353475/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

After failing to distinguish between the Swastika and Adolf Hitler's 'Hakenkreuz,' or hooked cross, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian-origin lawmaker Jagmeet Singh created a new dispute.

After failing to distinguish between the Swastika and Adolf Hitler's 'Hakenkreuz,' or hooked cross, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian-origin lawmaker Jagmeet Singh created a new dispute. A prominent Hindu organisation in the United States has advised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian-origin lawmaker Jagmeet Singh not to mix the "Swastika," an old and auspicious symbol for Hindus, with the "Hakenkreuz," a Nazi symbol of hatred from the 20th century. "Swastikas and Confederate flags have no place in Canada," New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted amid major protests by hundreds of truck drivers over Canada's COVID-19 regulations. Both Trudeau and Singh have recently made statements accusing demonstrators of "waving Swastikas." The HinduPACT (Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective) has responded by urging Trudeau and Singh not to conflate the "Swastika," an ancient and auspicious symbol for Hindus, Buddhists, and many indigenous communities around the world, with the "Hakenkreuz," a Nazi symbol of hatred from the twentieth century. (Picture courtesy: hindupact.org) What is the difference between Swastika and Hakenkreuz? The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit roots su (good) and asti (to prevail), and it has been employed in the Rig Veda's prayers, which indicate well-being, prosperity, or good fortune. It is claimed to represent the four yugas, or cyclical seasons, the four ends or objectives of life, the four stages of existence, and the four Vedas in Hindu philosophy. In some places in India, Swastika is even a girl's name. Swastika is typically made of flowers or written in red, yellow, or blue ink or paint. As a result, it can be found in a variety of temples and religious ceremonies all over the world, as well as as a welcome sign in many South Asian households. The "hakenkreuz," on the other hand, is generally recognised as a symbol of anti-Semitism, as Nazi persecution resulted in the deaths of about 11 million Jews during the Holocaust, and it represents trauma for many people today. Watch | Gravitas: Freedom Convoy Protests: Trudeau "upsets" Hindus Watch | Gravitas: Why is the Swastika reviled by the west? (With inputs from agencies)

Mr. Justin Trudeau, you are wrong about the Swastika: Here are the facts

Canadian police are poised to clear out on Friday hundreds of truck drivers from Ottawa who have staged a three-week-long protest against pandemic restrictions that has crippled the capital and prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to assume emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years.

The drivers, joined by thousands of demonstrators and some 400 vehicles, turned the streets around Parliament into a noisy party zone since first arriving on Jan. 28, in what has become one of the worst crises to hit Trudeau since he took power in 2015.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/you-just-look-dumb-elon-musk-compares-trudeau-to-hitler-later-deletes-the-tweet-heres-what-he-said-454172">'You just look dumb': Elon Musk compares Trudeau to Hitler, later deletes the tweet. Here's what he said</a>

Police made a handful of arrests Thursday evening, including of Chris Barber, one of the main fundraisers and organisers, after authorities said action was imminent. Barber went without resistance after police told him he was being arrested for mischief.

"We absolutely are committed to end this unlawful demonstration. We have the plan, we have the commitment, we have the resources," interim police chief Steve Bell told reporters on Thursday.&nbsp;Police will set up a perimeter with 100 checkpoints around downtown to stop people without legitimate reason from entering, he said.

"This weekend will look very different than the past three weekends," he added. Previous chief Peter Sloly quit this week amid residents' fury about what they saw as police inaction.

The truckers' protests started against vaccine mandates for cross-border drivers, a measure in place in the United States, too. But slowly it spread across Canada and morphed into an anti-government movement. Protesters blocked several land crossings with the United States, including the busiest, the Ambassador Bridge which connects to Detroit, for six days, hurting both economies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-issue-an-ultimatum-to-canada-trucker-protestors-leave-capital-or-be-arrested-453881">Police issues ultimatum to Canada truck protestors: Leave capital or be arrested</a>

Calling the blockades a threat to democracy, Trudeau invoked emergency measures on Monday giving his government temporary powers to end the unrest. Government officials said they were worried about extremists causing violence.

Many protesters on Parliament Hill said they would not leave until their demands were met.

"End the mandates, give us our rights and this is over," said Chris Dacey on Thursday. "We'll all go back to our families."

The border blockades turned the pressure on Trudeau to act swiftly, and US&nbsp;President Joe Biden asked him to use federal powers.

"The illegal blockades and occupations have to stop and the borders have to remain open," Trudeau told legislators on Thursday as Parliament started debate on the Emergencies Act, which needs to be passed within seven days of an announcement.

Watch |&nbsp;Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls Freedom Convoy protest an 'Economic threat'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/canadian-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-calls-freedom-convoy-protest-an-economic-threat-454179/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But the official opposition Conservative Party says there was no need for the Emergencies Act, especially since the border blockades are over. Conservative Parliamentarian Jeremy Patzer told the House of Commons on Thursday that people around the world were alarmed to see Trudeau "come down on peaceful protesters with a sledgehammer."

"It is absolutely shameful," he added.

Canadian police are poised to clear out on Friday hundreds of truck drivers from Ottawa who have staged a three-week-long protest against pandemic restrictions that has crippled the capital and prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to assume emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years.

Canadian police are poised to clear out on Friday hundreds of truck drivers from Ottawa who have staged a three-week-long protest against pandemic restrictions that has crippled the capital and prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to assume emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years. The drivers, joined by thousands of demonstrators and some 400 vehicles, turned the streets around Parliament into a noisy party zone since first arriving on Jan. 28, in what has become one of the worst crises to hit Trudeau since he took power in 2015. Also read | 'You just look dumb': Elon Musk compares Trudeau to Hitler, later deletes the tweet. Here's what he said Police made a handful of arrests Thursday evening, including of Chris Barber, one of the main fundraisers and organisers, after authorities said action was imminent. Barber went without resistance after police told him he was being arrested for mischief. "We absolutely are committed to end this unlawful demonstration. We have the plan, we have the commitment, we have the resources," interim police chief Steve Bell told reporters on Thursday. Police will set up a perimeter with 100 checkpoints around downtown to stop people without legitimate reason from entering, he said. "This weekend will look very different than the past three weekends," he added. Previous chief Peter Sloly quit this week amid residents' fury about what they saw as police inaction. The truckers' protests started against vaccine mandates for cross-border drivers, a measure in place in the United States, too. But slowly it spread across Canada and morphed into an anti-government movement. Protesters blocked several land crossings with the United States, including the busiest, the Ambassador Bridge which connects to Detroit, for six days, hurting both economies. Also read | Police issues ultimatum to Canada truck protestors: Leave capital or be arrested Calling the blockades a threat to democracy, Trudeau invoked emergency measures on Monday giving his government temporary powers to end the unrest. Government officials said they were worried about extremists causing violence. Many protesters on Parliament Hill said they would not leave until their demands were met. "End the mandates, give us our rights and this is over," said Chris Dacey on Thursday. "We'll all go back to our families." The border blockades turned the pressure on Trudeau to act swiftly, and US President Joe Biden asked him to use federal powers. "The illegal blockades and occupations have to stop and the borders have to remain open," Trudeau told legislators on Thursday as Parliament started debate on the Emergencies Act, which needs to be passed within seven days of an announcement. Watch | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls Freedom Convoy protest an 'Economic threat' But the official opposition Conservative Party says there was no need for the Emergencies Act, especially since the border blockades are over. Conservative Parliamentarian Jeremy Patzer told the House of Commons on Thursday that people around the world were alarmed to see Trudeau "come down on peaceful protesters with a sledgehammer." "It is absolutely shameful," he added.

Canada police set to end siege of capital by protesters fighting COVID measures

Demonstrators blocking Ottawa streets for the past 20 days have been given an ultimatum by the police: leave or be arrested.

In the meantime, US state leaders have called on the government to end the requirement for vaccines across the border that sparked the protests.

Meanwhile, officials announced a peaceful end to the latest of several protest blockades at border crossings between Canada and the US.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/haircuts-hot-tubs-and-hapless-police-heres-how-the-canada-truckers-protest-is-faring-453667">Haircuts, hot tubs and hapless police: Canada trucker's protest continues unfazed after emergency</a>

"You must leave the area now," Ottawa police said in a notice distributed to truckers outside parliament.&nbsp;

According to the statement, anyone who blocks streets or assists others in doing so will be arrested, fined, and their trucks seized.

Police also warned that anyone who was charged or convicted for taking part in the illegal demonstration could also face travel bans to the United States.

Hundreds of trucks continued to occupy streets in the parliamentary precinct even as the notices were passed out, blaring their horns in defiance of an extension Wednesday of a court order against the noise.

There are still a lot of trucks holding the line, said trucker David Shaw, 65. If arrested, he added: "I'll keep coming back."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-unmarked-indigenous-graves-found-at-yet-another-canadian-school-more-that-1300-graves-since-may-2021-453607">More unmarked indigenous graves found at yet another Canadian school; 1300 graves since May 2021</a>

Jan Grouin, a fellow protester, decried Justin Trudeau's decision to impose a state of emergency, saying it was "a little overreacting maybe to think that we are terrorists."

Ottawa interim police chief Steve Bell said a methodical and well-resourced plan would be implemented over the coming days "to take back the entirety of the downtown core and every occupied space."

"Some of the techniques we are lawfully able and prepared to use are not what we are used to seeing in Ottawa," he said. "But we are prepared to use them... to restore order."

Greg Gianforte, the governor of Montana, asked Canadian and US leaders in a letter signed by 16 Republican US governors to exempt truckers from having to take vaccines and abide by quarantine requirements when crossing the border between the two countries.

Watch |&nbsp;Canada: Opposition heckles Trudeau in Parliament after invoking emergency powers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/canada-opposition-heckles-trudeau-in-parliament-after-invoking-emergency-powers-453630/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

They were joined by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who has endorsed the truckers' convoy.

"The timing of your decision to terminate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions could not have been worse, as North America already faces grave supply chain constraints," said the letter addressed to US President Joe Biden and Trudeau.

"These constraints, combined with increasing inflation, place significant burdens on the residents of Canada and the United States."

(With inputs from agencies)

Demonstrators blocking Ottawa streets for the past 20 days have been given an ultimatum by the police: leave or be arrested. In the meantime, US state leaders have called on the government to end the requirement for vaccines across the border that sparked the protests.

Demonstrators blocking Ottawa streets for the past 20 days have been given an ultimatum by the police: leave or be arrested. In the meantime, US state leaders have called on the government to end the requirement for vaccines across the border that sparked the protests. Meanwhile, officials announced a peaceful end to the latest of several protest blockades at border crossings between Canada and the US. Also read | Haircuts, hot tubs and hapless police: Canada trucker's protest continues unfazed after emergency "You must leave the area now," Ottawa police said in a notice distributed to truckers outside parliament. According to the statement, anyone who blocks streets or assists others in doing so will be arrested, fined, and their trucks seized. Police also warned that anyone who was charged or convicted for taking part in the illegal demonstration could also face travel bans to the United States. Hundreds of trucks continued to occupy streets in the parliamentary precinct even as the notices were passed out, blaring their horns in defiance of an extension Wednesday of a court order against the noise. There are still a lot of trucks holding the line, said trucker David Shaw, 65. If arrested, he added: "I'll keep coming back." Also read | More unmarked indigenous graves found at yet another Canadian school; 1300 graves since May 2021 Jan Grouin, a fellow protester, decried Justin Trudeau's decision to impose a state of emergency, saying it was "a little overreacting maybe to think that we are terrorists." Ottawa interim police chief Steve Bell said a methodical and well-resourced plan would be implemented over the coming days "to take back the entirety of the downtown core and every occupied space." "Some of the techniques we are lawfully able and prepared to use are not what we are used to seeing in Ottawa," he said. "But we are prepared to use them... to restore order." Greg Gianforte, the governor of Montana, asked Canadian and US leaders in a letter signed by 16 Republican US governors to exempt truckers from having to take vaccines and abide by quarantine requirements when crossing the border between the two countries. Watch | Canada: Opposition heckles Trudeau in Parliament after invoking emergency powers They were joined by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who has endorsed the truckers' convoy. "The timing of your decision to terminate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions could not have been worse, as North America already faces grave supply chain constraints," said the letter addressed to US President Joe Biden and Trudeau. "These constraints, combined with increasing inflation, place significant burdens on the residents of Canada and the United States." (With inputs from agencies)

Police issues ultimatum to Canada truck protestors: Leave capital or be arrested

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency measure for the first time in country's history. Trudeau invoked measure to give his govt more power to respond to ongoing anti-govt trucker protests. Emergencies Act allows federal govt to take 'special temporary measures' for 30 days during national emergencies. Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act to quell the protests by truckers. The Canadian government is being urged to do more to disperse protests which have led to incidents of harassment and violence in Ottawa.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers amid truckers protest. All you need to know