Emergencies Act inquiry to hear from first witnesses Friday, Ottawa residents impacted by ‘Freedom Convoy’ occupation

OTTAWA-The first witnesses in the public inquiry over the government's use of the Emergencies Act against self-styled Freedom Convoy" protesters are set to testify Friday, as the judge-led study begins with a focus on how the crisis impacted the nation's capital.

The inquiry is slated to hear from six witnesses who will appear through the day in groups of two. They include Zexi Li, the lead plaintiff in a $306-million class action lawsuit against key organizers and participants of the protest occupation in downtown Ottawa last winter. Leaders from local business associations will also appear, along with Ottawa city councillors Catherine McKenney and Mathieu Fleury.

The long anticipated inquiry opened Thursday, when lawyers representing different governments, police forces and protesters laid out their views on how the government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14 to deal with the crisis.

The controversial decision created special police powers and compelled banks to freeze protesters' bank accounts for the next nine days. Civil liberties groups and other critics allege the use of the act was an unconstitutional government overreach, and say the inquiry's top job should be to clarify how the law should be used in the future.

More to come.