Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers in bid to end protests

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday he will activate rarely used emergency powers_ including cutting off financing_ to end protests that have shut some border crossings and paralysed parts of the capital.

The government_ saying the protests were damaging the economy and Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner_ introduced sweeping measures to support police forces and bring crowdfunding platforms under terror financing oversight.

The "Freedom Convoy" protests_ started by Canadian truckers opposing a COVID-19 vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers_ have drawn people opposed to Trudeau's policies on everything from pandemic restrictions to a carbon tax.

"The blockades are harming our economy and endangering public safety_" Trudeau told a news conference. "We cannot and will not allow illegal and dangerous activities to continue."

Protesters blockaded the Ambassador Bridge_ a vital trade route to Detroit_ for six days before police cleared the protest on Sunday while others have shut down smaller border crossings in Alberta_ Manitoba and British Columbia.

Frustration has grown with what critics see as a permissive approach by police to the demonstrations in the border city of Windsor_ Ontario_ and in Ottawa_ the nation's capital_ where protests entered a third week.

"Despite their best efforts_ it is now clear that there are serious challenges to law enforcement's ability to effectively enforce the law_" Trudeau said.

The 1988 Emergencies Act allows the federal government to override the provinces and authorise special temporary measures to ensure security during national emergencies. The law has only been used once before in peacetime_ in 1970_ by Trudeau's father_ former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Earlier on Monday_ four provincial premiers -- in Alberta_ Quebec_ Manitoba and Saskatchewan -- said they opposed plans to invoke the act_ saying it was unnecessary.

Trudeau said the measures would be "geographically specific and targeted only to where they are needed". They will also be "time limited"_ he said.

The Canadian Parliament would have to approve the use of the emergency measures within seven days_ and it also has the power to revoke them.

In addition to providing police resources_ Canada will broaden the scope of its anti-money laundering and terrorist financing rules to cover crowd funding platforms.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said all crowdfunding programs and payment providers they use must register with Canada's anti-money laundering agency_ FINTRAC_ and report suspicious activities effective immediately.

"We are making these changes because we know that these platforms are being used to support illegal blockades and illegal activity which is damaging the Canadian economy_" Freeland said.

The government will also allow banks to temporarily freeze the accounts of those suspected of supporting the blockades without obtaining a court order. In addition_ the insurance of trucks involved in the blockades will be suspended.

Canadian authorities have said about half of the funding for the protests has come from US supporters.

A US-based website_ GiveSendGo_ became a prime conduit for money to the protesters after mainstream crowdfunding platform GoFundMe blocked donations to the group. A website devoted to disseminating leaked data says it was given reams of information about donors on Monday.