Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the Liberal government’s use of the Emergencies Act to deal with protesters in Ottawa, saying that they are trying to “usurp the authority” of the democratically elected government. Freeland made the remarks on Feb. 18, in a virtual press conference updating on the government actions to end the ongoing protests in Ottawa. She was joined by several federal cabinet ministers, including Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Justice Minister David Lametti, and Minster of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, as well as government House leader Mark Holland. “Today, our economy and our democracy are facing a serious and foreign-funded threat,” Freeland said. “These illegal blockades and occupations cannot be allowed to usurp the authority of democratically elected governments. They cannot be allowed to threaten peace, order, and good government and they will not be allowed to do so. These illegal blockades and occupations will end and they will …