On his return from an all-party delegation to Europe for the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff responded to our enquiry about  the Emergencies Act Inquiry.

"I’m looking forward to the findings of this inquiry into the Emergencies Act; however, if Prime Minister  Trudeau refuses to waive Cabinet confidence into why the Liberal government invoked the Act in the first place, I’m not certain the findings will be focused on the necessary issues it should be focused on.

If the inquiry isn’t focused on government accountability then it is defeating much of the intent of this statute within the Act. The Conservative Mulroney government introduced and transitioned to the Emergencies Act from the War Measures Act to ensure Charter compliance, to increase parliamentary oversight and public transparency.

As constituents should note the Act states that the inquiry is to look “into the circumstances that led to the declaration being issued and the measures taken for dealing with the emergency.” (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/e-4.5/page-4.html#docCont).

Unfortunately, if one is to look at the Liberal government Order in Council mandating this inquiry, one would note that the specific direction from the Liberal government is focused on everything but the “why” as to their decision to invoke the Act. I’m already hearing from lots of constituents concerns over this lack of transparency and their concerns over the fact the judge appointed to lead this inquiry is a former Liberal staffer in the John Turner Liberal government and a long-time Liberal donor.

Regardless, I remain optimistic that all opposition parties and even some Liberal backbenchers along with the majority of the Canadian public are committed to seeing a fulsome, transparent inquiry and we will all demand the Liberal government enable this inquiry to fulfill the intent of the inquiry as stated in the Act."