Emergencies Act inquiry will be delayed until October due to commissioner’s illness

Advertisement

Advertise with us

OTTAWA - The inquiry into Ottawa's unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act during protests last winter will be delayed until October because of a health issue.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/09/2022 (1485 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA – The inquiry into Ottawa’s unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act during protests last winter will be delayed until October because of a health issue.

The Public Order Emergency Commission was to begin hearings Sept. 19 but will be delayed now until Oct. 13, a statement from the commission said Friday.

Six weeks have been scheduled for the hearings so they will now finish on Nov. 25. The commission has until mid-February to deliver its report.

A police officer stands at a checkpoint near Parliament Hill on Feb. 23, 2022 in Ottawa. The inquiry into Ottawa's unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act during protests in February is being delayed. The Public Order Emergency Commission announced today that it expects the hearings to start Oct. 13. It was originally supposed to start Sept. 19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A police officer stands at a checkpoint near Parliament Hill on Feb. 23, 2022 in Ottawa. The inquiry into Ottawa's unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act during protests in February is being delayed. The Public Order Emergency Commission announced today that it expects the hearings to start Oct. 13. It was originally supposed to start Sept. 19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The delay comes because commissioner Paul Rouleau is undergoing surgery.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act in February amid border blockades and the occupation of downtown Ottawa by protesters demonstrating against the Trudeau government and COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

There is a legal requirement to create a public review commission to look into the decision to use the Emergencies Act. A parliamentary committee is also separately conducting its own study on why the act was invoked.

Police forces, organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” and all three levels of government are expected to testify at the hearings. Parties with standing at the commission were told about the delay Friday afternoon.

Roleau said in a statement he was committed to completing the commission’s work in a “timely manner.”

“Commission staff, with the co-operation of all parties, has made significant progress over the past several weeks in obtaining and reviewing documents, conducting interviews, and preparing for the start of public hearings.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 2, 2022.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Concrete doc befits brutalist Winnipeg

Ben Waldman 4 minute read Preview

Concrete doc befits brutalist Winnipeg

Ben Waldman 4 minute read Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

Moviegoers across North America are pounding the pavement and lining up around the block to see The History of Concrete, small-screen documentarian John Wilson’s feature-length debut.

Read
Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

Husband of rival sex club owner accused in attempted bathhouse bombing

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Preview

Husband of rival sex club owner accused in attempted bathhouse bombing

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

A Winnipeg bathhouse owner says he was shocked to learn the man accused of planting a pipe bomb outside his business is married to the owner of a competing sex and lifestyle club.

Christopher Gregoire, who recently took ownership of AQ Sauna, said a live pipe bomb was found by a “heroic patron” outside the club, formerly known as Aquarius Bath House, in the early morning hours of Sept. 11.

On Thursday, the Winnipeg Police Service announced Erik Lymen Olson, 59, was facing multiple charges in the incident. Olson is the husband of Adonis Men’s Spa owner Doug Pomanski.

“This is wild,” Gregoire said after learning of the charges.

Read
Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

Prost! Raise a glass to Oktoberfest

Ben Sigurdson 4 minute read Preview

Prost! Raise a glass to Oktoberfest

Ben Sigurdson 4 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

As September comes to a close, a pair of local breweries are bringing some serious gemütlichkeit.

For the uninitiated, gemütlichkeit’s a word that doesn’t translate neatly from German to English, but which roughly means friendliness and good cheer.

Both Devil May Care Brewing Co. (155 Fort St.) and Kilter Brewing Co. (450 Rue Deschambault) are hosting Oktoberfest parties this weekend featuring food, music, games and, of course, plenty of beer.

Both breweries are rolling out special releases to coincide with their respective Oktoberfests — expect malty festbiers, marzens, rauchbiers and other German-inspired brews, served up in hefty steins alongside Bavarian-inspired fare. Devil May Care’s festivities run through to Sunday and feature eats by Freebird Kitchen, while Kilter keeps the party going through to Saturday, Oct. 3, and is offering pretzels and Oktoberfest-themed hot dogs. Lederhosen is encouraged.

Read
2:01 AM CDT

Sequestered skivvies seem like last straw

Maureen Scurfield 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My husband, who earns a hefty income, stayed in the city most of the summer working, except for a few long weekends with the kids and me at the cottage. He has giant work projects that need daily tending.

I work hard, too, with our four kids, two dogs and a cat. But I have to tell you I got a shock last week after coming home to organize my family team for a thorough cleaning of our three-storey home.

You’ll never guess what they found up in the attic — hidden boxes of sexy women’s lingerie that all looks brand-new.

I’ve kept my mouth shut so far, but my mind is spinning.

Flammable gas culprit of 2024 Transcona home explosion: police

Malak Abas 2 minute read Preview

Flammable gas culprit of 2024 Transcona home explosion: police

Malak Abas 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:45 PM CDT

Flammable gas is believed to be the cause of a 2024 house explosion in Transcona that damaged neighbouring homes and displaced residents.

“As a result of the investigation and upon Crown review, the explosion is believed to be an isolated incident,” Winnipeg Police Service Const. Dani McKinnon said in an email Friday afternoon.

“There are no public safety concerns connected to this incident, and no criminal charges have been laid.”

The sudden blast happened in a bungalow on Camrose Bay on June 26, 2024. It levelled the home and caused significant damage to 22 other houses. At the time, it was described as “catastrophic” by the fire chief at the scene.

Read
Yesterday at 4:45 PM CDT

Time for the PUB to review Winnipeg water rates

Editorial 4 minute read Preview

Time for the PUB to review Winnipeg water rates

Editorial 4 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

We take you now to just over a month ago, to the Public Utilities Board and its decision about water and sewer rates for Russell, Binscarth, Angusville, Rossburn and Gambler First Nation.

Why? Just wait.

The area is supplied with water and sewage services by the Russell-Binscarth Water and Wastewater Utility, which has a total of 1,014 customers.

As the PUB noted in an Aug. 27, 2026 order on the utility’s rates, “The [water treatment plant] gets water from two groundwater wells that were upgraded in 2016 and the raw water main was installed in 1984. The water distribution system is primarily cast iron pipe. The raw water line will need to be upgraded in the near future to keep up with demand.”

Read
2:01 AM CDT