Alberta Pastors and Rodeo Owner "Expected to Be Freed of Charges" Related to COVID Lockdown Measures After Court Ruling Finds Public Health Act Was Invalid.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) has announced that they expect the charges to be dropped against their clients: Alberta Pastors James Coates from Grace Life Church, Pastor Timothy Stephens from Fairview Baptist Church, and Ty Northcott, who held a "No More Lockdowns Rodeo Rally" to protest pandemic-related health restrictions.
The news comes after a July 31, 2023, ruling handed down by Justice Barbara Romaine of Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench, which invalidated the province's Public Health Act with respect to COVID lockdown measures. The judge's reasoning behind the ruling was mainly based on testimony by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, who admitted that she was solely in an advisory role, providing recommendations based on her medical expertise, but the final decision-making authority lay with the politicians. Therefore, the judge ruled that because Hinshaw did not make the decisions, the Public Health Act lockdown measures were invalid.
Pastor James Coates faced charges for allegedly leading church services that defied government-imposed public health measures. These measures included limitations on congregation sizes, compulsory physical distancing, and mask mandates. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and public health authorities went to the extent of cordoning off the church premises with a fence and stationed police officers as guards. Coates was charged, fined, and jailed for 35 days.
In May 2021, Ty Northcott, the owner of Northcott Rodeo, organized a "No More Lockdowns Rodeo Rally," drawing hundreds of people to the event. As a result, he faced charges under the Public Health Act.
Last month, Northcott and his company, Northcott Rodeo, were found guilty of contravening the Public Health Act. While the sentencing process had not been completed, it is expected that these charges will be dismissed.
Pastor Timothy Stephens, a vocal critic of government limitations on worship services, found himself facing charges in early 2021 for allegedly breaching public health directives. He endured two separate arrests and a cumulative incarceration of 21 days. Initially confronted with six charges, Stephens saw four of these dropped by the crown in May 2022. Subsequently, the remaining two charges were also dismissed in September 2022. Meanwhile, charges against Stephens church, Fairview Baptist Church, are pending; however, there is an anticipation that these will also be dropped.
According to the judge, the Public Health Act lockdown measures were invalid. This means that the politicians acted outside of their lawful authority. Since they acted outside of their lawful authority, they have no protection as public servants. Each provincial legislature member is personally responsible for their unlawful actions. Each can and should be required to financially compensate all aggrieved parties. Why should the people of Alberta pay out of the public purse for wrongful actions of politicians who acted outside their lawful authority? They should also be forced from office. There could be many more aggrieved parties than these particular pastors and churches. Many more people and organizations can file claims. Perhaps when member of an entire legislature become penniless on the street, politicians will not overstep their legal bounds.
Who compensates them for the damages they suffered while incarcerated? 21 days in jail is worth something and should come directly out of the pocket of the arresting officer.