Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government announced Thursday it will ban foreign investors from buying homes in Canada for two years in a bid to cool off a hot housing market.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland took a number of measures to tamp down speculation and demand amid record home prices in announcing the federal budget for the year.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency due to an unprecedented 10-day blockade by protesting truck drivers that paralyzed the Canadian capital, Reuters reported.

"The measure is necessary because of the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of citizens who create ongoing demonstrations."

Lawmakers in Canada's House of Commons, with strong encouragement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, passed a motion on March 23 paving the way for future measures to combat Islamophobia.