Frequently Asked Questions

You can make a submission to the Public Order Emergency Commission by filling in a short questionnaire, by sending an email to perspectives@poec-cedu.gc.ca, or by sending it to us at the mailing address listed below. You can make your submission in English or in French.

It is important for the Commission to receive meaningful public input from a wide range of Canadians, not just those individuals and entities who have been granted standing.

This is in keeping with Commissioner Rouleau’s commitment to conduct an open and transparent public inquiry that provides an opportunity for involvement by all Canadians.

The Commission will acknowledge receipt of all submissions received via email and surface mail. If you make your submission by completing the questionnaire, and you want to receive an acknowledgment, make sure you include your email address

All submissions will be read and considered by the Commission, and your submission may be referred to or quoted by the Commission either in a written report or during the public hearings. No identifying information will be used without your express permission.

You are encouraged to send in your submission by early September, so that Commission team members can read and consider it before the public hearings which begin on October 13, 2022. However, you can make a submission after that date up to October 31, 2022.

We have set up a page on our website with information about the public submission process. You can find it here.

The Commission has added a questionnaire to provide another option for Canadians to share their views with the Commission.

Canadians are encouraged to tell the Commission about their experiences, views, observations and ideas about the protest activities in February 2022 and the Emergencies Act. The Commission is also seeking input on the appropriateness or effectiveness of the measures taken to respond to the declared emergency, any changes that the Commission should recommend to the Act, and any further areas for study or review.

If you have thoughts on other issues related to the Commission’s mandate, we welcome those as well.

Yes, you can email photos or videos to the Commission.

We encourage those who make submissions to be concise. Typically, submissions will be 1 or 2 pages, up to about 5 pages. You may provide supporting materials, if any, as attachments.

Yes, you can include attachments with your email.

The Commission welcomes handwritten submissions. If you do not want to use email to send your submission to the Commission, you can send it by surface mail, to the following address:

Public Order Emergency Commission
c/o Main Floor Security Desk
90 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A3

• Try to be specific. Where appropriate, set out the facts relating to your experiences and views
• Consider beginning with a summary of your main message
• Focus on the most important things that you want the Commission to know
• Tell us how your ideas and suggestions might apply in the future. For example, how would they apply to different protest activities about other matters?
• Concise, focused submissions are most helpful
• Typically submissions will be 1 or 2 pages, up to about 5 pages. You may provide supporting materials, if any, as attachments.

The Commission has posted a list of suggested questions you may wish to read before you prepare your submission. You can find them on our website. The easiest way to share your views with the Commission is to complete a short on-line questionnaire.

No, you do not have to tell us anything about yourself. However, if you want to tell us about yourself, there is a list of demographic information (age, where you live, occupation, or other characteristics you would like to share) that may be helpful to the Commission in reviewing and summarizing submissions.

Yes, you can make your submission anonymously.

If we want to use your name or other identifying features during the public hearings or in a report, we will check with you first to confirm we have your permission. No identifying information will be used without your express permission.

The public submission process is just one of the ways the Commission is using to gather information about the circumstances that led to the declaration of a public order emergency and the measures used to deal with the emergency in February 2022. Other ways include interviews, document review, investigations, research, and public hearings.

If you are unable to make a submission in writing without an accommodation, please contact the Commission at perspectives@poec-cedu.gc.ca and provide a telephone number, if you wish, so one of our Commission team members can be in touch.