Attorney Gabriel Poliquin passed out during an investigation into Canada’s emergency law

A Canadian lawyer who was publicly investigating the Freedom Convoy truckers’ protests suddenly collapsed on Wednesday, causing alarm and temporarily derailing the proceedings.

Gabriel Poliquin interrogated Mario Di Tommaso, Deputy Solicitor General of Ontario, during an Emergency Public Order Commission hearing when disturbing incident happened live.

Mr. Polikin reviewed the handwritten document with Mr. Di Tommaso.

“CMVs are commercial vehicles?” he asked, referring to the notes.

After opening a plastic water bottle, Mr. Polikin suddenly lost consciousness, fell to his left and hit the ground with a loud crash, causing the witness to choke with shock.

A long-drawn-out groan could be heard on the live broadcast as people rushed to his aid shortly before the broadcast was interrupted.

“My God!” the woman heard.

Emergency services were called to the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, and lawyers and spectators were removed from the hearing room. CBC reported.

Mr. Poliquin’s condition remains unclear.

This was reported by the representative of the investigation Canadian press it would be don’t share further details about the health of Mr. Poliquin out of respect for him and his family.

Footage of the incident went viral on social media.

“It’s really very disturbing on many levels” – Canadian lawyer and YouTuber David Freiheit tweeted.

Maxim Bernier, Founder The right-wing People’s Party of Canada said: “This is completely normal. This is what happens all the time. Nothing to be surprised about.”

The trial was halted for several hours before resuming with another witness.

The commission, due to run until Nov. 25, is investigating the Trudeau government’s use of the Emergency Act to quell week-long protests against Covid lockdowns and mandates earlier this year.

The Liberal Government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for Emergency Law for the first time in the history of the country on February 14, with the aim of crowding out protests in Ottawa and blockade of border crossings in the United States.

At its peak, protests led by truck drivers furious at demands for Covid vaccinations to transport goods across the border drew 15,000 people to the capital and inspired a movement of copycats in other countries.

Mr. Trudeau’s decision to invoke the Emergency Law has split opposition parties.

Emergency powers included the ability to freeze bank accounts persons suspected of supporting the blockade of the “Convoy of Freedom” without obtaining a court order.

Critics accused the prime minister of using a “sledgehammer” against protesters, and a civil liberties group sued the government.

“This act allows the government to now create new laws to circumvent democracy in the face of what they called a national emergency, as they have not provided any evidence to our satisfaction that it is in fact a national emergency, as required.” – Noah Mendelssohn Aviv. This was reported to Sky News Australia by a representative of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. time.

“Every person who believes that his rights have been violated should be able to [protest] … as long as it’s peaceful and within certain limits.

“And we are very concerned that the government is saying that this is a state of emergency and that they are going to use these powers in a way that does not comply with the requirements of the law.”

Announcing the lifting of emergency powers later that month after SWAT made hundreds of arrests and confiscated vehicles, the prime minister said: “We are confident that existing laws and regulations are sufficient to keep people safe.”

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the blockades pose “a very serious challenge and threat to our national security and our economic security.” Canadian press reported.

Ms Freeland said the Emergency Act was needed to “guarantee” safety. “It was a very big deal,” she said. “I hope and believe that this only happens once in a generation, if anything.”

– With AFP

Originally published as ‘Oh my God’: The horrifying moment when a lawyer passed out during Canada’s Emergency Act investigation