RCMP officials say the freezing of the Freedom Convoy protesters’ bank accounts without a court order was a necessary and targeted measure during the public order emergency, but opposition MPs are questioning why existing laws weren’t applied. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Michel Arcand told the House Finance Committee (FINA) on March 7 that the freezing of accounts “enhanced the effectiveness of law enforcement’s investigation” pertaining to border blockades, and helped bring a “peaceful and timely end to the public emergency.” Conservative MP Ed Fast asked Arcand why they had not obtained a court order to freeze bank accounts earlier if that measure was judged as effective at discouraging protesters. Arcand replied that the RCMP wasn’t the lead agency on the issue, it was rather the Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police. “Did you ever ask the federal government to avail itself of existing legal and police authorities to bring …