Toronto Liberal MP mused voting against Emergencies Act

In a thoughtful address to Parliament, in advance of a vote by Members of Parliament (MP) on whether to keep the Emergencies Act in force, a Toronto MP argued to the brink of breaking with fellow Liberals about voting down the measure.

Toronto-Beaches East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith posted a speech on Twitter, which he said will “make no one happy,” revealing his thoughts on the Emergencies Act on Monday afternoon.

Since the convoy blockading Ottawa streets had been broken up, Erskine-Smith said he didn’t think the measures were still necessary, but he ultimately sided with the government to avoid a non-confidence vote.

“I’m skeptical that the strict legal test was met for the act’s invocation and I’m not convinced that the Emergencies Act measures should exist beyond today,” Erskine-Smith said.

“I would vote accordingly but for the fact that it is now a confidence vote. The disagreement I’ve expressed does not amount to non-confidence, and I have no interest in an election at this time,” he said.