(Ottawa) The commission that was to investigate the unprecedented use of Emergency Measures Act by Ottawa during the demonstrations last February will postpone its hearings for almost a month since Commissioner Paul Rouleau will have to undergo surgery.
Posted at 2:17 p.m.
The six-week public hearings, which were scheduled to begin on September 19, will instead begin on October 13 and end on November 25, the Emergency Commission said on Friday.
She clarified that the surgery is related to “a health problem that manifested itself very recently”, without providing further details.
“I want to assure Canadians of my commitment to completing the work of the Commission in a timely manner,” Commissioner Rouleau wrote in a statement.
The commission intends to respect the deadline provided for by law, he added, noting that these are “circumstances beyond my control”.
Hearings are to be held at Library and Archives Canada in downtown Ottawa. They will be streamed live online and members of the public will have the opportunity to contribute their views, with a final report expected early next year.
Parties to the investigation, including organizers of the so-called “freedom convoy”, police forces and all three levels of government, are expected to testify and provide documentary evidence on the invocation of the law in February.
The federal Liberals made the decision amid border blockades and the occupation of downtown Ottawa by protesters opposed to mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.