News

July 6, 2022 (Ottawa) – Commissioner Paul Rouleau has recommended to the Clerk of the Privy Council that five of the entities that were granted standing at the Public Order Emergency Commission receive funding to enable them to participate in the Inquiry.

“I considered both the need to ensure that the Parties who have a substantial and direct interest and who would make necessary contributions to the Inquiry are able to do so, as well as the need to respect the public purse,” Commissioner Rouleau wrote in his decision.

The Clerk has approved Commissioner Rouleau’s recommendations in accordance with Treasury Board guidelines respecting rates of renumeration and reimbursement.

Commissioner Rouleau is satisfied that the following entities would not be able to participate in the Inquiry process without funding and has recommended that they receive support for their participation:

• The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (Ontario) and the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers, who jointly requested funding as a group;
• The Canadian Civil Liberties Association;
• The Calgary Chamber of Commerce;
• The Ottawa Coalition of Residents and Businesses, who jointly requested funding as a group; and
• The Canadian Constitution Foundation and Professor Ryan Alford.

In making his recommendations, Commissioner Rouleau considered the reasonableness of the funding requests, including the number of counsel and number of hours for which funding was being requested. Funding is based on Treasury Board guidelines, so the entire costs of participation may not be covered.

The Public Order Emergency Commission was established by the Governor in Council on April 25, 2022, to conduct an independent public inquiry as required by the Emergencies Act following the declaration of a public order emergency by the Government of Canada on February 14, 2022. The Inquiry must submit its final report to the Government, with findings and recommendations, by February 6, 2023.

Decision on funding

Contact:

Michael Tansey
Sr. Communications Advisor
(343) 549-1086 mobile
Michael.Tansey@poec-cedu.gc.ca

www.PublicOrderEmergencyCommission.ca | www.commissionsurletatdurgence.ca

Follow us on Twitter:
@POECommission
@CommissionEDU