The judge overseeing the Emergencies Act Inquiry has donated to and been a staffer of Trudeau’s Liberal party, raising concerns about his ability to remain impartial as the federal government is finally forced to answer for its use of emergency powers.

According to documents obtained by The Counter Signal in April — some of which mysteriously disappeared from the Elections Canada website — Justice Paul S. Rouleau has funnelled money to the Liberal party year after year.

This discovery came after Trudeau established the Public Order Emergency Commission and appointed Rouleau commissioner. 

Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act in February for the first time in Canadian history to deal with Freedom Convoy demonstrators who peacefully protested COVID-19 restrictions in the nation’s capital.

Today, on day one of the inquiry, Rouleau said he would act impartial as a judge.

“I will keep an open mind throughout and only reach a conclusion after all the evidence is in,” he said.

In addition to his Liberal party donations, Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley reports that Rouleau has even worked for the Liberals.

“In 1983, he was part of John Turner’s leadership campaign to take over when Pierre Trudeau announced his retirement. Rouleau then had a hand in helping pick Turner’s cabinet once he won leadership and is described in various media reports as either his executive assistant or appointments secretary in media reports from that era,” Lilley wrote.

Brandon Miller, constitutional counsel for Freedom Corp representing convoy organizers, said invoking the act was unjustified.

Many will recall that accusations of violence against Freedom Convoy protesters have been debunked.

FINTRAC said it did not find evidence of extremist elements in the Convoy. In addition, no weapons charges were laid against the protesters, and arson charges were not linked to a Freedom Convoy protester, despite earlier claims. 

Nonetheless, Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act, eventually revoking his self-granted powers on February 23 after realizing that the Senate had plans to strike it down, which would have undermined his authority and legitimacy as Prime Minister.