OTTAWA—The public inquiry into the federal government’s unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to provide information currently kept secret under cabinet confidence principles, stressing the need for transparency and openness as it studies why the controversial decision was made to deal with the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests this year.
In documents published Wednesday, the Public Order Emergency Commission conducting the inquiry said the starting point of its study is to look at why the Liberal government invoked the act for the first time since it became law in 1988.
“It is the government that must explain its decision to do so,” the documents say. “In light of this, the commission has asked the government to disclose … the information, including advice and information that may be protected by cabinet confidence or any applicable privilege.”
