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CANADA: Lawyer Collapses While Questioning Witness During Emergencies Act Inquiry


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“A lawyer representing the Public Order Emergency Commission collapsed while he was questioning Ontario’s deputy solicitor general,” CP 24 reports.

“Emergency responders were called to the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa and proceedings were stopped, with lawyers and spectators cleared from the hearing room.”

The public inquiry is investigating the Canadian federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act.

Footage below:

From YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JddIXTU5RjE

Cont. from CP 24:

Gabriel Poliquin was in the early stages of examining Mario Di Tommaso when he collapsed to the floor, and his condition is unclear.

Poliquin is one of a team of lawyers working for the commission, which is tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the Liberal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history on Feb. 14.

Public hearings, which began Oct. 13 and are set to continue until Nov. 25, have focused this week on testimony about border blockades in Windsor, Ont., and Coutts, Alta.

Earlier Thursday, the mayor of Coutts said RCMP appeared to be caught off-guard by a protest blockade of the U.S — Canada border crossing last winter, even though he warned the provincial government it could happen.

Jim Willett sent an email to then-premier Jason Kenney and the provincial solicitor general on Jan. 27 to warn about the potential of a blockade, and was assured the RCMP had been alerted.

He said he was worried about maintaining vital access to the highway in the small border town of 245 people, and he also warned the protest could result in an international incident.

On Jan. 29 a large convoy of trucks gathered at the border, with some driving onto the median and ditches and blocking the road.

The Toronto Star added:

Several people attending the inquiry rushed to attend to him while he lay on the ground, before Commissioner Paul Rouleau ordered observers to leave the room.

Moments later, an ambulance pulled up outside the Library and Archives building where the inquiry is taking place. Paramedics entered with a wheeled stretcher, and after a few minutes they left carrying Poliquin, who was conscious and upright.

A spokesperson for the inquiry told reporters that the witness whose testimony was interrupted by the incident, Ontario’s Deputy Solicitor General Mario Di Tomasso, will return on Thursday. Ian Freeman of the province’s Transportation Ministry will appear Wednesday afternoon in his place, starting at 3 p.m.



 

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