Declaring an emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act is a serious matter. It bestows extraordinary legal power upon the declarant, which can have serious ramifications for civil liberties and the rule of law.

On March 28, 2024, the Regional Municipality of Niagara declared such an emergency to exist because there would be a solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, and it was estimated that many tourists would visit the area as a result. That is cause for celebration, not an emergency as defined by the EMCPA.

Julian Renaud and the Canadian Constitution Foundation have thus filed for Judicial Review of the Region’s emergency declaration. The CCF’s press release relating to this matter is here. The Application Record that we filed is here.

We look forward to presenting this case in the Divisional Court.