Federal government invokes Emergencies Act for first time ever in response to protests, blockades

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's invoking the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canada's history to give the federal government temporary powers to handle ongoing blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions.

"It is now clear that there are serious challenges to law enforcement's ability to effectively enforce the law," Trudeau told a news conference Monday afternoon.

"It is no longer a lawful protest at a disagreement over government policy. It is now an illegal occupation. It's time for people to go home."

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invoke : to use something such as a law to help you when you want to do something

blockade : the situation in which a country or place is surrounded by soldiers or ships to stop people or good from going in or out

grant : to give or allow someone something, usually in an official way

cabinet: a small group of the most important people in government, who advise the President or Prime Minister and make important decisions

occupation : the act of controllling a foreign country or region by armed force

unprecedented : never having happened or existed in the past

constitute : to be or be considered as something