News

November 24, 2022 (Ottawa) – The Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) will begin the policy phase of its work on Monday, November 28.

“This last and important chapter of the public hearings will call on nearly 50 experts from various fields whose input, in my opinion, is important to the development of relevant recommendations for improvements to existing legislation,” said Commissioner Paul Rouleau.

The policy phase will consist of a series of round-table discussions to assist the Commissioner with the development of recommendations related to all aspects of the Commission’s mandate, including the use of the Emergencies Act, any necessary modernization to the Act, as well as recommendations on areas for further study or review to fulfil this aspect of the Commission’s mandate.

The round-table discussions with panels of experts will be centered on common themes and questions developed in consultation with the Commission’s Research Council, with input and comment from the Parties. Various topics, including criminal law, policing powers, freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly, cryptocurrency, and international supply chain will be discussed. To guide the round-table discussions, a series of papers by experts on topics that are relevant to the Commission’s mandate have been commissioned. The papers are available on the Commission’s website.

The policy phase of the public inquiry will be held in the Bambrick Room at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa and will run until December 2. Discussions are scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. daily and members of the public are invited to attend in person. A live webcast of the proceedings will be available on the Commission’s website in both official languages. Sign language interpretation (ASL and LSQ) will also be available.

“I look forward to hearing the thoughts and views of the experts and the discussion and analysis of these key policy issues. This will assist the Commission in considering what recommendations to make on the use of and potential modernization of the Emergencies Act and on any areas where we consider further study or research should be undertaken,” said Commissioner Rouleau.

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 table its final report in the House of Commons and Senate of Canada, with findings and recommendations, by February 20, 2023.

More details on the policy phase of the Commission’s work are available in the Notice on the Policy Phase of the Commission and the Rules for the Policy Branch of the Commission on the Commission’s website.

Consult the list of themes to be discussed by panel experts as well as details about the schedule, moderators, council and participants for these discussions.

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Contact:

Michael Tansey

Sr. Communications Advisor

(343) 549-1086 mobile

michael.tansey@poec-cedu.gc.ca

www.PublicOrderEmergencyCommission.ca

www.commissionsurletatdurgence.ca

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