Like father, like son; 50 years later, Canada's Trudeau invokes emergency powers | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 24, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Like father, like son; 50 years later, Canada's Trudeau invokes emergency powers

World+Biz

Reuters
15 February, 2022, 09:40 am
Last modified: 15 February, 2022, 09:45 am

Related News

  • Son stabbed to death allegedly by father in Kamrangirchar
  • Narayanganj man arrested after video of him and his brother beating their father goes viral
  • Father killed for protesting daughter’s harassment in Rajshahi
  • Teen stabs father to death during prayer following dispute over mobile phone in Chuadanga
  • Man arrested over alleged attempt to rape teenage daughter in Chuadanga

Like father, like son; 50 years later, Canada's Trudeau invokes emergency powers

Trudeau told reporters he was invoking the 1988 Emergencies Act because law enforcement needed more help

Reuters
15 February, 2022, 09:40 am
Last modified: 15 February, 2022, 09:45 am
A demonstrator screams and bangs gas canisters together as truckers and supporters continue to protest coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 10, 2022. Photo :Reuters
A demonstrator screams and bangs gas canisters together as truckers and supporters continue to protest coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine mandates, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 10, 2022. Photo :Reuters

Faced with truckers' protests popping up across the nation, and hampering cross border trade, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday became the only Canadian leader since his father 50 years ago to declare a state of emergency in peacetime.

Trudeau unveiled a series of tough measures to tackle funding for the protests, including letting banks freeze accounts linked to the protests without a court order, and said federal police will help end the blockades.

But despite the apparent parallels, historians say there are big differences between Trudeau's announcement and the one his father made in October 1970.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

For one, Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau put troops on the streets after a small militant group of Quebec separatists had kidnapped a diplomat and a provincial cabinet minister.

His son, facing one of the biggest crises since taking office in 2015, made clear that deploying the military was not in the cards as he tried to end protests sparked by truckers opposing Covid-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border trips.

Canada was not facing the kind of public emergency the act had been designed to tackle, said Leah West, a professor and national security expert at Ottawa's Carleton University.

"I'm kind of shocked to be honest that the government of Canada still actually believes that this meets the definition to even invoke the act," she told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

Trudeau told reporters he was invoking the 1988 Emergencies Act because law enforcement needed more help.

"This is about keeping Canadians safe, protecting people's jobs and restoring confidence in our institutions," he said.

His father, Pierre Trudeau, took more decisive action after the Quebec kidnappings. Asked by a reporter how far he would go, Trudeau replied "Just watch me", which became one of the main catchwords of Canadian politics.

Three days later he invoked the War Measures Act, the predecessor to the Emergencies Act, and sent troops into Quebec and other provinces. The crisis ended, but only after the separatist group killed the cabinet minister.

"What's striking about this time is we've had no violence, nothing like that," said University of Toronto professor emeritus Nelson Wiseman.

Justin Trudeau, asked on Friday about the parallels with his father's experience in 1970, replied that "my values are deeply informed by the way I've been brought up, not just by my father but by experiences as a Canadian" before adding that "every situation is different".

The Canadian Parliament must approve the use of the measures within seven days and has the power to revoke them.

Shortly after the protests began, "Emergencies Act" quickly became a trending topic on social media as some Canadians called for federal government to act, frustrated by what they saw as police inaction.

Canadians also demanded Trudeau use the act in early 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit the country to restrict the movement of people and goods. The government did not enact it, saying it was a last resort.

One person happy to draw parallels was Maxime Bernier, leader of the populist People's Party of Canada, who strongly opposes vaccine mandates.

"Trudeau will invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time since his father did so over 50 years ago, not because there is an emergency and a major threat to Canadians' security, but because HE is losing face", Bernier, who has appeared at the Ottawa protests, tweeted.

Top News

Trudeau / son / father / invoke / emergency powers

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • BB asks female staff to wear 'modest' attire, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings
    BB asks female staff to wear 'modest' attire, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    US yet to confirm third-round talks as tariff deadline looms
  • File photo of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia arriving at the Evercare Hospital from her Gulshan residence on 18 June 2025. Photo: UNB
    Khaleda Zia taken to Evercare Hospital for late night medical check-up

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • The Government Seal of Bangladesh
    Govt mulls allowing trade unions with 20 workers, industry leaders warn of disorder
  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA

Related News

  • Son stabbed to death allegedly by father in Kamrangirchar
  • Narayanganj man arrested after video of him and his brother beating their father goes viral
  • Father killed for protesting daughter’s harassment in Rajshahi
  • Teen stabs father to death during prayer following dispute over mobile phone in Chuadanga
  • Man arrested over alleged attempt to rape teenage daughter in Chuadanga

Features

Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

1d | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

3h | TBS Today
13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

3h | TBS Today
Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

4h | TBS Today
Case Study of Milestone Tragedy

Case Study of Milestone Tragedy

5h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net