“This situation demands strong leadership. We will provide it. Today, we are introducing legislation, Bill C-92, also known as the Insurrection Control Act. It grants the government the powers it needs to calm the present situation and restore peace.
“Now some of the provisions of Bill C-92 will be controversial. I acknowledge this. We in government believe that nothing is more central to a democratic society than the civil liberties that make our country a beacon in the world. We would never, never infringe them. But harsh realities demand harsh solutions. As your government, we cannot ignore our responsibilities to protect you and your families. Meeting these responsibilities means that we must suspend some of the freedoms for which this great country is known. We do this with great reluctance, knowing that your safety and the well-being of our country demand it. And we firmly commit that once this emergency has passed, we will restore the civil liberties for which Canada is renowned.
“In anticipation of this legislation, we have appointed a Minister for Insurrection Control. I am pleased to announce that The Honorable Andrew Quierry has accepted the enormous responsibility for overseeing the Insurrection Control Act and restoring peace to this great country. I will leave it to Mr. Quierry to explain the details of what the Act entails. Mr. Quierry.”
A man stepped forward, shook the prime minister’s hand, and turned to the microphone. “Prime Minister, I thank you for entrusting this great responsibility to me and for giving me the opportunity to restore peace and security to this great country. I applaud your leadership and courage in doing what may be unpopular, but which is necessary in these difficult times.”
The prime minister nodded at Quierry and left the platform with most of the others. Only Quierry and one other man, dressed in a military uniform, remained.
Quierry said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Insurrection Control Act entails three separate areas of action. The first is the suspension of civil liberties such as the right to gather in groups or to promote sedition either in speech or writing. This means that we have the authority to break up groups, even small ones, and to arrest instigators before those groups become threatening. We are also imposing a curfew in all cities with populations larger than ten thousand. Anyone out of their homes after nine p.m. will be interrogated, and those without a valid reason will be detained. The Act also authorizes us to monitor all communications, letters, telephone calls, texts, and social media postings. The Act gives us the power to imprison those who advocate social disorder. Be assured, we will.
“The second area of action is that we must suspend the federal election due for later this year. In the current environment, that is not feasible. I emphasize that these actions are temporary. They will last for the duration of the emergency until peace and order are restored.
“The third area of action is enforcement. I am announcing the formation of a National Peacekeeping Force, NPF, that will be charged with enforcing the laws, restricting assemblies, and detaining troublemakers. The NPF will be under the direction of Commander Walter Dimster, whom I now invite to say a few words. Commander Dimster.”
The man behind Quierry stepped forward. “I am pleased to announce that the National Peacekeeping Force has been formed, its officers hired and trained, and its procedures put in place. The force is being deployed across the country as we speak. I must emphasize that its orders are to enforce peace by any means necessary. Unfortunately, that may mean the use of extreme force. Clearly, we will seek to avoid this, but nobody should be under any illusions that we won’t use it. Our mandate is to impose peace. We will do so whatever the means, whatever the cost. I urge all citizens to cooperate with our officers who are sworn to enforce the peace. I emphasize that the mandate of the NPF is to protect innocent citizens from those few who are agitating against civic order. The vast majority of people, those who mean no harm, have nothing to fear from us.”
The two men left the platform.
The camera returned to the news anchor, her mouth open, her face slack. She stared at the desk for a minute before she tightened her face. “That… that was the prime minister, who has introduced legislation forming a new peacekeeping agency and restricting civil liberties.” She held her hand to her ear. “We have an interview with Wilma Krauner, Minister of Public Safety.”
An interviewer said, “Ms. Krauner, we’ve just watched the announcement by the prime minister. This is a complete shock. Were you aware this was coming?”
“I was. I had the great honour to be part of the team that set the NPF up. We informed the rest of the Cabinet this morning. As you said, it is unprecedented, but given our current situation, strong leadership is necessary. I can say I’m proud to be part of a political party that doesn’t shirk its responsibilities.”
“These recommendations seem extreme. Are all Cabinet members on board with them?”
“Bob, you understand the principle of Cabinet solidarity. Of course we all agree they’re needed.”
“But suspending the election, creating a paramilitary agency, preparing to use force, extreme force, against Canadians. Isn’t this overkill?”
“Tell that to the people who have been killed and injured on our streets. Tell that to the people in our hospitals who have been crippled by rioters. No country can function with this level of violence. Getting it under control is absolutely necessary, however that is to be done.”
“When do you expect the legislation to come up for debate in Parliament?”
“It won’t. We have used the emergency measures available to us to bypass Parliamentary procedures. It is now law.”
“But it still needs ratification by the Senate.”
“That is a formality. We are proceeding in advance of that ratification.”
“Doesn’t this in effect mean that Canada is now a dictatorship?”
“Bob, you’re being overdramatic. We need strong leadership. If that looks dictatorial, well, dictatorships work. Besides, as Minister Quierry said, it’s temporary. Once we’ve restored peace, the Act will be repealed and our traditional rights restored. We’re not authoritarians, Bob. We just recognize the need for strong action.”
“But, Ms. Krauner, you speak of the need for strong leadership. Wouldn’t it have been better to do what so many in our industries have been pleading for? Declare resource and transportation projects to be in the national interest?”
“Of course that was considered. But such actions would just have stoked the anger and violence that triggered this crisis.”
“Was there nothing else that could be done that would be less severe?”
“None that we believe would work in the immediate term. We are experiencing extreme conditions that demand an extreme response.
“Does the legislation carry a time limit? When can we expect these measures to be lifted?”
“There is no specific time limit. How could there be? But Canadians can rest assured that this is temporary. The Prime Minister has promised that once the situation has stabilized, we will restore the civil liberties that all of us value. We in Cabinet intend to make sure that happens.”
“Do you have an estimate? A best guess on how long this will take?”
“We don’t want to tie ourselves down. Look, Bob, nobody in our party likes having to do this, but for us to weasel out of doing what is necessary would be irresponsible. We’re proud that we are willing to take strong action when it is needed.”
“Thank you, Ms. Krauner. Back to you, Julie.”
The news anchor, her face gripped tight, her words spoken as if she had to concentrate on each one, said, “We have an interview with the Leader of the Opposition, Bryan Crandall.”