In a significant ruling, a federal court in Canada has deemed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government unjustified in its use of sweeping powers to dismantle protest blockades deemed "illegal and dangerous" two years ago. The court found that the government's invocation of the Emergencies Act in response to the so-called freedom convoy protests was "unreasonable" and violated Canada's charter of rights and freedoms.

The protests, which took place in February 2022, saw truckers and their supporters occupy Ottawa for nearly a month to demonstrate against public health orders relating to the coronavirus pandemic. They also blockaded key border crossings with the United States, causing significant disruptions.

In response, Trudeau's government invoked the 1988 Emergencies Act, granting it extensive powers to address the situation, including the ability to ban gatherings at specific locations and halt crowdfunding efforts supporting the protests. At the time, it marked the first utilization of the act in Canada's history.

However, following a public inquiry conducted in February last year, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the Canadian Constitution Foundation requested a judicial review, arguing that the government's use of the Emergencies Act went against the country's charter of rights and freedoms.

In a ruling issued by Justice Richard Mosley, it was determined that the government's actions were not justified, considering the relevant factual and legal constraints that should have been taken into account. The court found that the government's use of the act led to an infringement of Canadians' charter rights and freedoms.

Although Justice Mosley acknowledged having more information than government officials did when they made the decision, he still concluded that the government lacked sufficient justification for its actions.

The court's decision is expected to provide guidance on when future governments can invoke the Emergencies Act. However, political rivals of Trudeau, such as Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, quickly seized upon the ruling, accusing Trudeau of breaking the highest law in the land and violating Charter rights.

The Conservative Party is currently polling ahead of Trudeau's Liberal party, with an anticipated election next year. Trudeau's deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, responded to the ruling by stating that the federal government would appeal the decision. She defended the government's decision to invoke the act, emphasizing the need to prioritize public safety and national security.

As this ruling sets a precedent for future invocations of the Emergencies Act, its implications extend beyond the specific protest crackdown that occurred in 2022. It remains to be seen how the appeal process will unfold, with Trudeau's government facing scrutiny over its use of emergency powers to address public demonstrations and potential threats to public safety.