Public Safety Minister testifies at Emergencies Act Inquiry

Today the Emergencies Act Inquiry heard about conversations between the federal government and the provincial government on how Sylvia Jones, who was Ontario’s Solicitor General at the time, was invited to meetings but didn’t show up.

The day started with Marco Mendocino, Minister of Public Safety, describing his role during the 2021 rally in Ottawa.

“We gave advice to the government with regards to the decision to invoke the emergencies act and then to revoke the act,” Mendocino said.

Minister Mendocino was then asked about Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Solicitor General, and how there was a perception that the Ford government didn’t want to be visible during the convoy rally.

A text message between Mendocino’s chief of staff and a staff member at the Prime Minister’s office was displayed as evidence. The message described a conversation between Sylvia Jones and Marco Mendocino.

“There was definitely some colourful vernacular towards the end of that call, I’m happy to say that minister Jones and I still enjoy a very productive and positive rapport,” Mendocino said.

Later in the morning things got a little heated when the lawyer representing the convoy wanted to call a last-minute witness, but he wasn’t allowed.

Security removed lawyer, Brendan Miller, from the hearings and the Emergencies Act inquiry resumed.

The Emergencies Act inquiry will continue this week with other ministers being called upon as witnesses including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.