The government of Justin Trudeau had already begun drawing conclusions from its use of the Emergencies Act (EML) even before receiving the report from Judge Paul Rouleau, who was responsible for investigating the protest, last winter. According to Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, the law needs to be updated.

The occupation of downtown Ottawa and the border checkpoints organized by supporters of the Freedom Convoy showed that the tools available to law enforcement need to be updated. Mendicino said in an interview with the program "Behind the Scenes of Power" that there is an evolution in threats to public safety in terms of extremist ideology and speech. Social media campaigns and crowdfunding did not exist when the EML was adopted in 1988; the geopolitical context has changed significantly, and foreign interference does not necessarily appear in the same way.

The minister also believes that Judge Rouleau's report will provide elected officials with some avenues for discussion. Commissioner Rouleau should not only determine whether the Trudeau government had reasonable grounds to invoke the EML, but also whether changes should be made.

The Public Safety Minister said Ottawa had to use it given the size of the movement, as it was really difficult for police forces not only to restore public safety but also to maintain it.

Mendicino, six other ministers, and Prime Minister Trudeau testified last week before the commission to explain how the country's crisis posed a threat to public order. Each detailed the reasons that led them to support the government's decision. As for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, the country's economic security was at risk. However, the financial argument was not mentioned in the law.

Mendicino also said it was a combination of factors that tipped the balance, as there were gaps in the laws. It was necessary to prevent sympathizers from crossing the border to join the protesters, find ways to tow trucks that blocked streets, and use financial tools to persuade protesters to return home. The EML allowed them to address all of this.

According to Mendicino, everyone did their best under very difficult circumstances. As Minister of Public Safety, his job is to protect all Canadians. That is exactly the result of the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act.