Former justice minister David Lametti said a federal judge was wrong to rule that the federal government was wrong to invoke emergency legislation to quell the 2022 convoy protests.
Mr Lametti announced on Thursday that he would retire from politics after eight years as an MP, more than half of them as minister of justice and attorney general.In an interview broadcast on CBC Radio on Saturday. the househe defended the government’s use of emergency laws, a moment that would forever define his tenure as the country’s top legal official.
“I don’t agree with that decision. I don’t agree with it.” [Justice Richard Mosley’s] Upon analysis, I disagree with his framing of the issue and treatment of the facts,” Lametti told host Katherine Cullen.
“We are confident that this decision will be overturned on appeal.”
Federal Court Judge Richard Mosley ruled that the government’s invocation of the state of emergency law “does not have the characteristics of reasonableness, such as legitimacy, transparency, or clarity,” and that the measures taken under the law are not rights. It was found to be a violation of the Charter of Freedom.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poièvre quickly cited the decision and accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of misconduct.
“He created a crisis by dividing people,” he wrote on social media platform “We will unite this country.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said she remains “convinced” that triggering emergency laws in early 2022 is “the necessary thing to do”. A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the government’s use of the law was unjustified.
Lametti said his cabinet will seek to balance the rights of Canadians with the need to end weeks of protests that have dominated Canadian politics as the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies in early 2022. He defended the government’s actions.
“I think there were minimal rights violations in the short term,” he said. “And what will happen to the rights of the people of Windsor and Ottawa, the autoworkers, and the rest of the country, the Coutts? [Alta.], whose rights were being trampled upon by these squatters? ”
Mr Lametti also expressed support for amending the Emergencies Act to clarify the circumstances in which it applies.
“We need laws that work. We need standards that reflect current reality,” he said.
Lametti said the reason for the termination is still unclear.
Lametti has been the head of LaSalle-Aimard-Verdun racing since 2015 and held various parliamentary positions before being appointed Minister of Justice.
Lametti was removed from his cabinet last summer when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revamped his team, a move that surprised many observers.
He said he still doesn’t know why it happened.
“No substantive reason has been given other than that they have been caught up in a numbers game… There’s a lot of balance that needs to be struck around the ministerial table,” he said.
Prime ministers traditionally consider a number of factors when assembling their cabinet, including experience and regional diversity. Prime Minister Trudeau was also the first prime minister to advocate for gender balance in his Cabinet.
Lametti said he understands the need to make trade-offs in cabinet formation and knows such decisions should not be taken personally.
“Look, it doesn’t mean it’s not difficult… It doesn’t mean the decision won’t hurt,” he told Karen.
“That’s up to the prime minister. It’s the prime minister’s prerogative.”
He initially intended to continue in politics. “But at the end of the day, I think his mental health and sense of well-being are also important to being an effective legislator,” he said. “And I don’t think we can keep doing that.”
Lametti says he’s proud of his record.
Mr Lametti also reflected on some of the biggest issues he sought to address during his time as justice minister, such as long delays in the justice system. If there is kicked out of court.
“I appointed judges at a faster pace than anyone in Canadian history,” he said.
He left the ministry as his Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) was due to expire. The government has until March 17 to decide whether to trigger a sunset clause that would extend MAID eligibility to people suffering solely from mental illness.
Lametti said MAID is a complex and difficult issue and Canadians need to calmly grasp the facts.
“The sky isn’t falling. There are a lot of horror stories out there that are being put out there but never come to fruition,” he said.
“It hasn’t been open season for people with disabilities. We’ve been very careful about striking a balance, but if you step back and really look at the facts and the evidence, I think that’s where we’re going to be.” You can move forward with this. ”
Lametti said he is proud of his work in politics and hopes it continues for a long time.
“I can look back at my record and say it’s a great record,” he said.
“And I think the most important thing for me right now, and the most important thing that I hope for Canadians, is to continue to maintain this record and not jeopardize it with a change of government.”
Asked if he was dissatisfied with the Prime Minister’s treatment of him, Lametti reiterated his achievements during his time in office, including criminal law reform and the creation of the Commission on Wrongful Conviction.
“I’ll leave with a smile on my face.”
