Shortly thereafter, the Canadian Prime Minister responded in the most draconian way possible. Declaring a national state of emergency for the first time ever in response to protests, he ordered the truckers to disband or face criminal prosecution.

There was no need for the use of the Emergencies Act — Canada’s equivalent of martial law — to end the Freedom Convoy nor the blockades. The powers required to do so are available via a provincial state of emergency — indeed, the emergency orders issued under this state of emergency were sufficient to clear the blockade on Ambassador Bridge within 48 hours. What this move actually represents is a signal to the United States that Canada is willing to do everything necessary to prioritise investment and commerce. Canada is a country highly dependent on resource exports for its GDP; its manufacturing base is concentrated in the Province of Ontario and largely owned by foreign companies. In Ontario, nearly 40% manufacturing jobs are situated at a foreign-owned company. And of course, Canada’s most important foreign investor and client for its resources is the United States. 

The city of Ottawa, where the convoy is located, is now under three States of Emergency: the municipal, provincial and federal levels. In the declaration of the state of emergency by Premier Doug Ford, there were several mentions of the need to maintain “investor confidence”. Similarly, deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted the damage to Canada’s “reputation as a reliable trading partner”, mentioning the primacy of the United States. Clearly, no cost is too small in achieving the goal of protecting foreign capital in Canada, including setting the extremely dangerous precedent of suspending civil liberties and rights in response to what has been an entirely peaceful protest. 

The Canadian people’s rights and civil liberties have been weighed against the “rights” of American capital, and have been passed over. At the time of writing, banks have been granted the ability (free of liability) to freeze the bank accounts of those under mere suspicion of involvement in the protest movement — with no need for a court order. In addition, emergency orders must adhere to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but only according to Justin Trudeau’s interpretation. After two years of severe and unjustified infringements on freedom of association, assembly, religion, expression, and equality under law, many Canadians are now doubtful as to whether they are still citizens of a liberal democratic state.