Hon. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety: Thank you, senator, for the question. Our rationale for invoking the act, in short, was that it was necessary, and the necessity of invoking the act manifested in the challenges posed by the efforts of those participating in the illegal blockades, which created significant interruptions to not only our economy but also public safety across the country. In Coutts, for example, there were very serious charges laid under the Criminal Code, and here in Ottawa, the illegal occupation laid siege to public safety for a number of weeks. While I agree that there were laws that were on the books, what’s important, senator, is that those laws, at the time of the illegal blockades and occupation, were not effective at restoring public safety.

It was only after careful deliberation and after the advice that had been offered by all levels of the police service — including the commissioner of the RCMP, the commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and the president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police — that we invoked the act. We invoked it because existing authorities were not effective. Yes, we reached deep into the tool box to use the Emergencies Act for the first time, but it was used responsibly and with restraint, and it helped to restore public safety.

Hon. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety: Senator, thank you very much for the question. It allows me to underline the significant contributions of the CBSA, day in and day out, in moving people across international borders. No doubt there have been very unique challenges in the context of the pandemic and then, more recently, in the context of the illegal blockades.

You raised a question about what their specific designation is according to the law. I know that we have provided all of the tools that the CBSA needs, including additional financial investments, training and other capacity-enhancing utilities that allow them to discharge their responsibilities.

I will say, going forward, senator, that I agree with you that we do need to have a reflection about whether the CBSA and, indeed, all law enforcement and national security partners, have the tools they need to meet the evolving threat landscape to our national security. As we’ve heard already in the various questions from senators, there are emerging threats with regard to foreign interference, cyberattacks and ideological extremism. We need to be sure that the front lines of our law enforcement have all of the tools necessary to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

[Translation]

Hon. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety: Thank you very much for the question, senator. I would begin by underlining that the illegal occupation that took place here in Ottawa, as well as the blockades that occurred at a number of our ports of entry in British Columbia, Manitoba and various ports of entry here in Ontario, presented a grave and serious threat to our security. It had a significant impact on our economy. Many Canadians were idled in their employment as a result of it. That is why we had to invoke the Emergencies Act, which included among its targeted powers the —