Emergency order to freeze protest funds

Summary#

The Emergency Economic Measures Order: SOR/2022-22 was made under the Emergencies Act on February 15, 2022 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 2, 2022. It put in place short-term economic and financial measures aimed at disrupting the funding and use of property connected with certain blockades and protests. The full text of the order is on the Canada Gazette site (link provided by the user).

What it does#

• Temporarily restricts dealings in property that are tied to specified protest or blockade activities.
• Allows directions to financial institutions and payment service providers to freeze, block or suspend accounts and transactions connected to people or groups involved.
• Limits the ability of third parties (for example, crowdfunding sites, payment processors, or crypto platforms) to move or provide funds to targeted persons or organizations.
• Includes exemptions and carve-outs for basic living expenses and essential transactions (the order itself sets the exact scope).
• Gives federal authorities tools to stop the flow of money or access to vehicles and other property used to maintain blockades.

Who's affected#

• People directly involved in the protests or blockades targeted by the order.
• Individuals or groups who give money, services, or property to those protests (including donors using online platforms).
• Financial institutions, payment processors, crowdfunding platforms and crypto exchanges asked to act under the order.
• Local businesses, residents and other members of the public near the blockades who may see enforcement on property or banking ties.
• It is not always clear from the summary who exactly will be listed or targeted; the order and subsequent directions identify the specific persons, accounts or property.

Why it matters#

• In practice it can freeze bank accounts, stop donations, and prevent people from using vehicles or other property to continue blockades.
• It shows the federal government can quickly use emergency powers to cut off financial and material support for disruptive protests.
• That can shorten or reduce the impact of prolonged blockades, but it also raises quick legal and civil‑liberties questions for people who may be affected.
• For precise effects and any individual risks, the order’s full text and any lists or directions issued under it should be consulted.