Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said on Saturday that dozens of accounts with financial services companies have been frozen under new powers granted under the Emergencies Act in the past five days.

Speaking at a virtual press conference that began as police officers were clearing protesters from Wellington Street in front of Parliament, Mendicino said at least "76" accounts containing nearly $3.2 million have been frozen under the law's powers.

He said, "The numbers we have been able to provide you so far ... clearly show how the Emergencies Act is being used to achieve a peaceful end to the illegal blockade."

Federal officials had previously declined to provide details on the number of accounts affected, citing their desire to maintain secrecy while police operations continue.

On the other hand, when the Emergencies Act was activated on Monday, banks and other financial institutions were instructed to stop providing services to accounts suspected of being used to support the "Freedom Convoy" protests in Ottawa or other blockades.
They were also granted the authority to do so without first obtaining a court order, which would be the normal course of action.

For his part, Mendicino also said on Saturday that the Canadian Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre is working with "small and medium banks" to implement directives issued earlier in the week.

He described the new measures as "strong financial disincentives" that can pressure protesters without using physical force.