Vote on Emergencies Act becomes unofficial matter of confidence in government

With hours to go before a vote on the federal Liberals' use of the Emergencies Act to end anti-government blockades in Ottawa and several border crossings, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was confident the votes were there to approve the measures.

Jagmeet Singh was poised to deliver Trudeau the necessary votes when the NDP leader said the situation was a national crisis and his party would reluctantly support the ongoing use of temporary powers under the law.

A vote by the House of Commons to approve the measures would keep them in place until mid-March at the latest. The Senate must also vote on the government's request. At any point, the Senate, House or government could pull support and the extraordinary powers stemming from the emergencies law would be torn up.

Singh said his party would pull support as soon as it decides the measures are no longer necessary, including if remaining convoy members stopped lingering in Ottawa and near border crossings.

In either case, a parliamentary committee must review and report back on the use of the act within a year.