The federal government has declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing protests against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. In a press conference on Feb. 14, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the current protests are not peaceful and are harming the economy, while measures are needed to strengthen law enforcement agencies. Trudeau said the application of the Emergencies Act would be limited in time and in geography, and would be proportionate. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced a number of measures to cut the funding to the protests. These include broadening anti-money laundering measures to crowdfunding platforms and digital currencies. Banks will also be able to freeze accounts of entities involved in the protests. Trudeau is the first prime minister to invoke the Emergencies Act. The Emergencies Act in 1988 replaced the War Measures Act, which Trudeau’s father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, used in 1970 during the October Crisis, …