Senator Ataullahjan: Senator Gold, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency on Friday, February 11, which expires on Friday, February 25. Senator Gold, why subject the rest of the country to emergency measures when Ontario had already declared a state of emergency?

Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: My question is for the government leader in the Senate.

Senator Gold, multiple provinces have shared their concerns regarding the invocation of the Emergencies Act. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe tweeted that he hopes the Emergencies Act “. . . would only be invoked in provinces that request it . . . .” The Manitoba premier called the invocation not necessary, and the Quebec premier has expressed that the police in his province have been able to contain the protest thus far.

Senator Gold, why didn’t your government choose to collaborate and coordinate with specific provinces instead of opting for the widespread application of the Emergencies Act?