The Democracy Fund has taken on the legal defence of the Montreal church fined for having U.S. Christian singer Sean Feucht perform at one of its services.
July 28, 2025 - "The Democracy Fund [TDF] has stepped in to represent Ministerios Restauración/Église MR — the Montreal church at which US-based artist Sean Feucht worshipped on July 25, 2025.
"Ministerios Restauracion Church was issued a ticket with a fine in the amount of $2,500 for engaging in Christian worship at a Friday service.
"Video shows police entering the Church before or during the worship service. Later, protesters attempted to forcefully shut it down.
"Feucht, a Christian musician and activist known for leading large outdoor worship events across the U.S., was in Montreal as part of a Canadian visit. His presence drew criticism from local activist groups.
"Officials accused the Church of violating municipal bylaws related to event permits or zoning. However, no such regulations prohibit regular worship gatherings.
"TDF litigation director, Mark Joseph, said:
'Freedom of religion is a fundamental freedom under s.2(a) of the Charter: you do not need permission or a permit from the government to worship at a church in Canada. It is absurd to suggest otherwise, and it risks setting a dangerous precedent that will extend to all religions. TDF and its lawyers intend to fight this matter and are eager to respond to this obvious Charter infringement in court.'....
"Legal fees are expected to be sizable in this case, but TDF is committed to supporting religious freedom for all Canadians. We will need your help to defend the Ministerios Restauración Church: please consider making a charitable donation to TDF.
"Founded in 2021, The Democracy Fund (TDF) is a Canadian charity dedicated to constitutional rights, advancing education, and relieving poverty. TDF promotes constitutional rights through litigation and public education and supports an access to justice initiative for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed by government lockdowns and other public policy responses to the pandemic."
The Democracy Fund has convinced an Ontario court to reopen the cases of five Amish fined for crossing the Canada-U.S. border without using the Trudeau government's controversial ArriveCan app.
October 09, 2024 - ""The Democracy Fund (TDF) has successfully reopened a number of ArriveCan tickets for five Amish clients. These individuals received tickets in 2021 and 2022 for allegedly failing to complete the ArriveCan app but had not received any notification of court dates or convictions, leading to outstanding fines being sent to collections and, in some cases, liens placed against their family farms.
"These individuals, due to their faith, avoid modern technology. They do not use any form of electricity and have little to no experience using a telephone, much less navigating an app on a modern smartphone.
"TDF recently filed documents with the court seeking to have these tickets reopened. The court has now granted this request, which will allow the clients to receive a Notice of Trial and, eventually, set a trial date. Adam Blake-Gallipeau, Senior Litigation Counsel at TDF, remarked{:}
It was clear that these clients did not receive adequate information regarding their tickets. The Amish are a vulnerable religious minority and have limited engagement with modern legal systems. In cases where their properties have liens registered on title, it makes it difficult to obtain loans or to transfer farms to the next generation. We are pleased that the tickets have been reopened and look forward to arguing our case in court.
"TDF lawyers will now request and review disclosure, engage with Crown counsel, and, if necessary, proceed to trial. Although this is an initial victory, the real work of having these tick[:ets stayed, withdrawn or resolved at trial now begins. TDF has a number of additional Amish clients who require help and have since learned that there may be other Amish communities impacted by outstanding liens and fines. We're committed to advocating for the rights of the Amish and ensuring they receive fair treatment.
"If you'd like to support the Amish community in their fight, please consider making a tax-deductible donation on this page.
"Founded in 2021, The Democracy Fund (TDF) is a Canadian charity dedicated to constitutional rights, advancing education, and relieving poverty. TDF promotes constitutional rights through litigation and public education and supports an access to justice initiative for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed by government lockdowns and other public policy responses to the pandemic."
September 10, 2024 - "The lawyers for a Calgary pastor found guilty of mischief for encouraging protesters to continue blocking the Canada-U.S. border crossing in 2022 say he was communicating with attendees, not inciting them, and should have his conviction overturned. On Tuesday, Artur Pawlowski's appeal was heard by a panel of three Alberta Court of Appeal judges.
"Pawlowski was convicted of inciting mischief based on a videotaped speech he gave on Feb. 3, 2022, at the saloon near the Coutts blockade. Defence lawyer Sarah Miller said her client gave a speech that should be looked at as communicating with protesters but 'did not incite interference with the highway.' 'The glaring absence of any reference to the blockade or the highway is fatal to the Crown's case and is an error in law,' said Miller. 'It would be a dangerous precedent to say you can't express support of protesters.'
"On the day of the speech, protesters had made a deal to leave the border crossing and head to Edmonton. Pawlowski encouraged those protesting COVID-19 health restrictions to stay in Coutts and hold their ground. 'The eyes of the world are fixed right here on you guys. You are the heroes. Don't you dare go breaking the line,' Pawlowski said in the video. The protesters ultimately decided to stay and continue their two week on-again, off-again blockade.
"Miller said the court was not being asked to approve of Pawlowski's speech, rather to consider it in the context of a 'reasonable interpretation of the Criminal Code'.... Miller's co-counsel Evan Best argued that Pawlowski was 'legally justified to give that speech' under the freedom of expression section of the Charter.
"But prosecutor Andrew Barg argued the defence position of legal justification under the free speech section of the Charter 'is wrong.' 'He can give a speech,' said Barg. 'But then there's a point where it crosses a line.' That point was when Pawlowski, in his speech, 'intentionally incites these people to commit a criminal act,' said Barg.
"The trial judge, Justice Gordon Krinke, had found that Pawlowski 'counselled other persons to interfere with the use of Highway 4 in a manner which rendered it useless'.... [Pawlowski was sentenced to 61 days in jail, but was released since he has already spent 51 days locked up in remand - gd]....
"More than a dozen people were charged in connection with the protests and blockade, including four men accused of conspiracy to murder RCMP officers. Those men were not convicted of [that] charge, rather, two pleaded guilty to firearms offences and were released from jail with sentences equal to the time they'd already served. The other two were found guilty of firearms violations and mischief following a trial and were handed 6½-year sentences."
Members of the Amish community in Chatsworth, Ontario (who do not use electricity or smartphones) have been hit with almost $400,000 in fines for not downloading the Canadian government's ArriveCan app.
August 15, 2024 - "In the serene countryside of Chatsworth, a community of Amish farmers lives as if in the 18th century, adhering strictly to their faith and traditions. Their simple way of life — without electricity, telephones, or the internet — sets them apart from the rest of the modern world. Yet, this peaceful community is now grappling with a problem no one would have expected....
"The problem began with the Canadian government's enforcement of the ArriveCan app during the COVID-19 pandemic. This app was mandatory for anyone entering Canada, requiring travellers to submit their health information digitally. The Amish, however, do not use smartphones, let alone apps. They also have religious exemptions from vaccinations, making the use of such technology unnecessary and intrusive for them. Yet, despite these clear exemptions, the government insisted on compliance, leading to severe penalties....
"The Amish community in Chatsworth has been slapped with nearly $400,000 in fines for not using the ArriveCan app. This is a community that doesn’t use electricity, let alone digital applications. The fines were not just a bureaucratic oversight — they were a targeted action. The government even went so far as to place liens on their properties, effectively freezing their ability to obtain loans and transfer land titles within families.
"These punitive measures have left the Amish community in a state of shock and despair. Imagine being a farmer in need of a loan to buy cattle, only to be told that your property has a lien on it because of fines related to an app you cannot even use.
"This situation is not just an attack on the Amish economy; it’s a direct assault on their religious freedoms. The government’s actions have created an uneven playing field, where a community that lives without modern conveniences is being punished for not participating in a digital system....
"Fortunately, The Democracy Fund has stepped in. They’ve begun taking up the cases of these Amish families, working to overturn the unjust fines and remove the liens placed on their properties. However, the road ahead is long and fraught with challenges, especially given the unique nature of the Amish community’s way of life.
"The Amish may not fight back themselves — they are pacifists by nature — but they have welcomed the help of others who see the injustice in what’s happening. This is not just a fight for the Amish; it’s a fight for religious freedom and the right to live according to one’s beliefs without government interference."
A report from the Falun Dafa Association details covert action by the Chinese Communist government directed against the spiritual group's adherents in Canada.
November 6, 2023 -[A] new report details how the communist regime influences politicians and stifles persecuted groups. Notably, it highlights ongoing efforts to suppress support for Falun Gong adherents and their quest to end the persecution of their spiritual practice, which began in 1999. The 130-page report, released by the Falun Dafa Association of Canada (FDAC) on Oct. 25, details Chinese Communist Party (CCP) strategies for foreign interference, focusing on adherents of Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, in Canada.
"The tactics are primarily attributed to the Chinese diplomatic missions. They include coercing politicians, spreading disinformation, impersonating Falun Gong adherents to discredit the group, spying on adherents, and seeking their exclusion from community events. They also include cyber attacks as well as harassment, intimidation, and physical assaults against adherents.... The FDAC reports that, in an attempt to evade scrutiny, Chinese missions increasingly use agents and proxies to infiltrate political offices in the host countries, influence politicians, and disseminate fake emails, posing as Falun Gong practitioners.
"Chinese diplomats exert significant efforts to shape Canadian politicians’ perspectives on Falun Gong, often resorting to threats that non-compliance with the regime could jeopardize Canada-China trade relations, the FDAC report said. For example, in 2003, China's charge d'affaires in Canada Chu Guangyou reportedly wrote to Liberal MP Jim Peterson allegedly conveying the sensitivity of the Falun Gong issue and its potential effect on Canada-China relations..... A package containing anti-Falun Gong materials was reportedly enclosed with Mr. Chu's letter. The FDAC has documented numerous incidents of similar materials being distributed to other Canadian politicians....
"Falun Gong is a spiritual practice rooted in Buddhist traditions ... [which] rapidly gained widespread popularity in China after being introduced to the public in 1992. Official Chinese government data estimated that between 70 million and 100 million Chinese citizens were practising Falun Gong by the late 1990s. However, Jiang Zermin, the Chinese leader at the time, perceived the practice's popularity as a threat to the regime's totalitarian control. In July 1999, he initiated a nationwide mass arrest and persecution campaign with the aim of eradicating the practice. As part of this campaign, the CCP established extrajudicial security entities, notably the 610 Office, with a specific mandate to eradicate Falun Gong.
"Under the 610 Office, a Special Anti-Falun Gong Working Group was also formed with the specific mission of suppressing Falun Gong adherents outside China.... Chen Yonglin, a prominent defector who had held a senior position in the Chinese Consulate in Sydney, Australia, before he defected in 2005, testified to the existence of this working group.... In his 2008 affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Mr. Chen revealed that this working group is embedded within every Chinese consulate and embassy around the world where there are Falun Gong adherents.... A similar CCP unit operating in Canada came to light in April 2007. Zhang Jiyan, a defector and the wife of a diplomat from the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, disclosed the existence of a 10-person squad tasked with 'fighting Falun Gong' in Canada. The FDAC report said that this squad was under the leadership of a Chinese political affairs minister-counsellor.
"The FDAC has voiced 'serious concern' regarding several Canadian politicians who it says have aligned themselves with the Chinese regime's efforts to marginalize the Falun Gong community in Canada. The report references multiple media articles that highlight Michael Chan, a former Ontario MPP currently serving as the deputy mayor of Markham, Ontario ... [who] has ... reportedly met with suspected Chinese intelligence operatives in activities related to Canada's 2019 and 2021 federal election campaigns.... Another politician mentioned in the FDAC report is Ontario MPP Vincent Ke ... [who] resigned from Ontario's governing Progressive Conservative caucus after a Global News report alleged that he was part of China's election interference network in Canada. Mr. Ke has denied the allegations and has launched a libel lawsuit against Global News.
"A more recent tactic adopted by the CCP to discredit Falun Gong involves impersonating adherents of the practice to send bizarre and sometimes threatening or derogatory emails and letters to Canadian politicians and businesses.... Politicians who have received 'bogus emails' from individuals impersonating Falun Gong practitioners, as cited in the FDAC report, include Liberal MP Judy Sgro, who co-chairs the parliamentary friendship group Canadian Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong; NDP MP Peter Julian; Conservative MP Scott Reid; and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney. Chrystia Freeland, finance minister and deputy prime minister, is also reported to have received a similar email in 2017 during her tenure as foreign affairs minister.
"The FDAC notes that the systematic and persistent email impersonation and vilification campaign is not limited to Canada. It describes the campaign as a 'global phenomenon.' Its report says that identical or similar emails have been sent to politicians in various other countries, including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the FDAC, this pattern underscores the pervasiveness of the communist regime's interference in countries worldwide."
Defence Minister Bill Blair is calling the story of a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) directive allegedly banning public prayer by its chaplains Conservative-spread misinformation, while the Epoch Times (which broke the story) now reports that chaplains are leaving the CAF in response to it.
October 20, 2023 - "Defence Minister Bill Blair says the Conservative Party is spreading “misinformation” by saying military chaplains are no longer allowed to say prayers during public functions. 'Let’s be very clear: [Canadian Forces] chaplains are not – and will not be – banned from prayer on Remembrance Day, nor at any other time,” Mr. Blair wrote on X on Oct. 19. 'When the Conservatives spread misinformation about our military, we’ll always call it out.'
"The minister was reacting to an Oct. 18 social media post by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre saying the government is banning military chaplains from praying at Remembrance Day ceremonies. 'Our veterans don’t have a prayer under Trudeau,' Mr. Poilievre said.
"The Epoch Times previously reported exclusively on the new directive ... from the Office of the Chaplain General in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The previous directive, in place since 2013 and titled 'Public Prayer at Military Ceremonies,' gave guidelines on how chaplains should conduct prayers, while giving further instructions for inclusion. 'The chaplain shall preface the prayer with remarks that invite those who, for whatever reason, are not disposed to pray, to use that time for silent personal reflection or contemplation as others pray,' it reads.
"The new directive, titled 'Chaplains’ Spiritual Reflection in Public Settings,' doesn’t say that chaplains are allowed to lead prayers, but only 'reflections'. 'While the dimension of prayer may occupy a significant place for some of our members, we do not all pray in the same way; for some, prayer does not play a role in their lives,' says the Oct. 11 directive signed by the Chaplain General, Brigadier-General Guy Belisle. 'Public reflections must be done in an appropriate manner to engage all those gathered.' It adds that chaplains need to adopt a 'sensitive and inclusive' approach when addressing CAF members in public'....
"The new directive quotes from a 2015 Supreme Court opinion, which ruled that a city council in Quebec shouldn’t recite a Christian prayer before meetings in order to protect the religious neutrality of the state. The court 'set a strict standard for religious neutrality by the state, which the [Royal Canadian Chaplain Service] has a legal obligation to abide by,' says the directive. 'This requirement is aligned with the principle of inclusion that is paramount within the CAF.'" Read more: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/blair-says-tories-spreading-misinformation-on-new-military-chaplain-directive-on-prayer-5513779
October 20, 2023 - "Some military chaplains are leaving the Canadian Armed Forces following a new directive on public prayer, says an internal email sent by a military officer obtained by The Epoch Times. The directive forbids the use of words such as 'God' and 'Heavenly Father,' which active-duty chaplains say in effect means prayers are forbidden.
"The Oct. 19 email was sent by a mid-level officer in personnel management with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to wing commanders and other RCAF 'enior leaders across the country following the rollout of the new directive on Oct. 11. In the email, the officer said she had been “informed that the CA is noticing the release of some Chaplains based on this directive.' 'CA' is likely an acronym for 'Canadian Army.' 'If anyone has noticed a similar trend, please share your findings as it may be worth a discussion,” wrote the officer on Oct. 19....
As part of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, the Canadian military has instructed its chaplains to eliminate prayers and references to God in this year's Remembrance Day commemorations.
October 16, 2023 - "Canadians about to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country could come across different proceedings than they’re used to, as the military has told its chaplain service that religious prayers in official public functions are now forbidden. 'While the dimension of prayer may occupy a significant place for some of our members, we do not all pray in the same way; for some, prayer does not play a role in their lives,' says the Oct. 11 directive obtained by The Epoch Times. 'Therefore, it is essential for chaplains to adopt a sensitive and inclusive approach when publicly addressing military members,' says the directive signed by Chaplain General Brigadier General Guy Belisle.
"In practice, this means that a chaplain, or padre as they’re commonly known in the ranks, cannot recite from the Bible or allude to God while participating in ceremonies and public functions. Instead, the 'spiritual reflection' must be “inclusive in nature, and respectful of the religious and spiritual diversity of Canada.' The move is part of the larger cultural change process in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) implemented by the Liberal government, which aims to put principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the core of the organization.
"For public reflections, the directive tells chaplains they must 'carefully choose words that are inclusive' and that they should use a language 'mindful of the Gender Based Analysis (GBA+).' This in effect tells chaplains to refrain from referring to a 'Heavenly Father'.... [T]he directives also will remove the traditional scarves chaplains wear, which bear the crests of their respective religions.... 'Chaplains must consider the potential that some items or symbols may cause discomfort or traumatic feelings when choosing the dress they wear during public occasions,' says the directive. The Faith Tradition crests will be replaced by the crest of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service (RCChS).
"The decision comes after the Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination released a report in January 2022 that was critical of religion in general. A section on the CAF chaplaincy said that 'religion can be a source of suffering and generational trauma,' especially for LGBT individuals and indigenous people. 'Some chaplains represent or are affiliated with organized religions whose beliefs are not synonymous with those of a diverse and inclusive workplace,' it added....
"Brig. Gen. Belisle says the RCChS conducted an in-depth analysis of a Supreme Court decision from 2015. The directive cites Mouvement laïque québécois v. Saguenay (City), which pertains to a self-proclaimed atheist complaining about the Saguenay city council reciting a prayer before meetings. 'The evolution of Canadian society has given rise to a concept of neutrality according to which the state must not interfere in religion and beliefs,' wrote the Supreme Court. 'The state must instead remain neutral in this regard, which means that it must neither favour nor hinder any particular belief, and the same holds true for non-belief.'
"Brig. Gen. Belisle’s directive says the policy will be enforced through education in vocational school and by taking disciplinary action against chaplains who do not comply with the directive. This includes withdrawal from the CAF chaplaincy.
"Department of National Defence spokesperson Derek Abma says the directive does not apply to other non-official settings. 'In a chapel, chaplains may always offer prayer consistent with their own spiritual and faith traditions,' he told The Epoch Times in a statement.... Mr. Abma did not deny that religious prayers are now forbidden on events such as Remembrance Day....
"An active military chaplain who requested anonymity to avoid reprisals told The Epoch Times that the new policy is a violation of a covenant Canadians have with the war dead. He says he thinks Canadians would not want to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony in which our dead are not honoured in prayer.... 'We have a covenant with the dead,' he said. 'Most of those who fought in the Great Wars did so for God and country, and deserve to be honoured in that way. This new policy is first and foremost a violation of that covenant.'"
For ministering at the 2022 Coutts blockade pastor Artur Pawlowski has been sentenced to 61 days in jail, less than time served, but has vowed to appeal the sentence.
September 18, 2023 - "Street Church pastor Artur Pawlowski was sentenced to 61 days in jail for charges stemming from the Coutts Border Blockade, but he will not be incarcerated because of credit for time served....
"Pawlowski was arrested at his home by six police officers after he encouraged protestors at the Coutts Border Blockade to stay put in 2022. Pawlowski’s son Nathaniel said his father and he were getting ready to head to Coutts for the day when an undercover police minivan pulled up and six officers sprinted at them. Police told him that he was under arrest for mischief over $5,000.
"Pawlowski was released from the Calgary Remand Centre under strict bail conditions in 2022. His release followed 51 days of continuous incarceration between the Edmonton and Calgary detention centres — many of which were spent in forced solitary confinement and under what he said were excessive and cruel conditions. Under threat of re-arrest and detention, he was not permitted to speak to or wave to his supporters who had lined the sidewalks outside the building on his release to offer support. Other bail conditions included a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and house arrest — a combination he said was nonsensical and excessive.
"Pawlowski was found guilty of mischief, willfully damaging and destroying essential infrastructure and breaching a release order at the Coutts Border Blockade in May....
"Krinke said he determined the sentence after reviewing case law, oral presentations and reference letters. He described Pawlowski’s church duties and politics. The Crown attorney requested eight to 10 months in jail for mischief and one day concurrently for breach of order. His defence lawyers asked for seven days in jail for mischief and one for breach of order....
"Krinke said least restrictive sanctions are the best, but that would not apply as much in this case. He added a discharge would be inappropriate. For a fine, he said it would not reflect the gravity. Probation would not make a dent. He called incarceration 'required to achieve denunciation and deference.' While incarceration would be required, [Pawlowski] had 78 days banked from time served and has vowed to appeal his sentence.
"The mitigating factors were he had no prior criminal record, expedited the trial by agreeing to facts, and has helped poor people. The aggravating factors were the incident happened while he was under a court order and has not expressed contrition.
"Krinke concluded by saying Pawlowski would not be going back to jail."
Crown prosecutors in Windsor and Stratford, Ontario, have dropped charges of violating Covid orders against Windsor pastor Aaron Rock, who still faces one charge in another jurisdiction.
February 22, 2023 - "The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is pleased to announce that charges against Pastor Aaron Rock were withdrawn at the request of the prosecuting Crown Attorney in Windsor on February 6, 2023. Pastor Rock was facing another charge in Stratford, Ontario which was withdrawn at the request of the Crown on February 16, 2023. In both jurisdictions Pastor Rock was charged under the Re-opening Ontario Act (ROA).
"In December 2020, the Ontario government implemented a series of restrictive measures which purported to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Government’s Order made under the ROA banned any religious gathering of more than 10 people. Aaron Rock is the lead pastor of a Christian Church in Windsor, Ontario. He was alleged to have breached the Order by hosting a Christian worship service that exceeded 10 people.
"The primary evidence presented by the Crown was a video recording filmed outside of Pastor Rock’s Church. The video showed some individuals leaving the building, but these individuals were not identified or charged with any offence. Pastor Rock did not appear on the recording. The Crown agreed with defence counsel that there was insufficient evidence to prove the alleged breach of the ROA and withdrew both charges.
"In Stratford, Pastor Rock was alleged to have spoken at a public gathering, the purpose of which was to protest Ontario’s COVID19 response. On that charge, Pastor Rock entered into a Diversion Agreement where he voluntarily made a modest charitable donation. The charge was then withdrawn with no admission of guilt....
"Rock’s lawyer, Christopher Fleury, says that 'he is pleased to see that Crown Attorneys across the Province are taking a more reasonable and practical approach to prosecuting these types of offences. There is at least some tacit acknowledgement among Crowns that the public interest in continuing to prosecute ROA breaches is minimal to non-existent.' Mr. Fleury also added that 'his client is satisfied with the outcome of these charges and will continue to fight one remaining charge in a third jurisdiction.'
"Pastor Aaron Rock’s legal defence has been funded solely by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms."
December 1, 2022 - "The leader of an Aylmer church that became an anti-lockdown flashpoint at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has been fined $5,000 for participating in a downtown London rally last winter.
"Church of God pastor Henry Hildebrandt was convicted under the Reopening Ontario Act, the law to enforce public-health measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, for attending the so-called World Wide Rally for Freedom on Jan. 22 at Victoria Park, municipal officials said on Thursday. Hildebrandt was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay court costs....
"The London rally was part of a movement in opposition to public-health measures such as limits on public gatherings, mandatory masking and the closure of businesses and schools.... Hildebrandt became a leading figure in the movement opposed to the government’s handling of the pandemic. He continued to hold both drive-in and indoor services at his Aylmer church, drawing attention from police and criticism from counter-protesters who held demonstrations outside its grounds.
"The defiant pastor racked up court fines and tickets since the beginning of the pandemic. He was charged along with then-MPPs Randy Hillier and Derek Sloan for attending a Norfolk County rally in June 2021, but the charges against the trio were dropped in September, according the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a legal advocacy group hired to represent the men.
"The JCCF, a charity dedicated to fighting for constitutional freedoms, has taken on many cases of individuals charges under the Reopening Ontario Act. The legal group scored a recent victory when charges against a Goderich family that was fined for holding a birthday party were dropped on Nov. 2. The family had gathered to celebrate a birthday on April 23, 2021, amid a stay-at-home order that prohibited residents from leaving their homes except for approved reasons.... A lawyer for the Justice Centre worked out a deal with the Crown to drop the charges in exchange for the family agreeing to make a 'modest' charitable donation, the centre said.
“'While we are pleased that the charges have been dropped, it is concerning that these charges were laid at all,' Justice Centre lawyer Chris Naimi said in a statement issued Wednesday. 'The right to peaceful assembly is an enshrined constitutional right, whether it is a public political demonstration or an intimate family gathering.'"
July 22, 2022 - "Alberta appeals court panel of Justice Barbara Lea Veldhuis, Justice Michelle Crighton and Justice Jo' Anne Strekaf ordered Alberta Health Services to reimburse Artur Pawlowski and his brother, Dawid, for the costs of their appeal and the return of any fines and penalties paid. The appeals panel concluded the original injunction banning protests in the name of public health 'was not sufficiently clear and unambiguous'. The appeals panel also reduced the penalties of restaurant owner Chris Scott to time served and penalties already paid.
"The judgement released Friday morning read:
The Pawlowskis' appeals are allowed. The finding of contempt and the sanction order are set aside. The fines that have been paid by them are to be reimbursed.
The chambers judge awarded costs to AHS payable by the Pawlowskis jointly in the amount of $15,733.50, calculated at 2.5 times column 1. That costs award is set aside and the Pawlowskis are awarded their costs payable by AHS in the proceedings below and in this Court calculated on the same basis
"Calgary pastor Art Pawlowski and his brother, Dawid, were both arrested and imprisoned after being found in contempt of an ex-parte court order obtained by Alberta Health Services restraining 'illegal public gatherings'.... Scott’s sentence for contempt of the same court order related to a large-scale demonstration he held after his small town diner, gas station, convenience store and campground was seized by the province after [he] refused to close his doors to meet covid regulations. His was reduced in Friday’s ruling to the penalties he has already served or completed:
A sentence of three days in prison, which is deemed fully satisfied and served; A fine of $10,000, less credit for all amounts paid by the appellant to date, which may be paid at the rate of $500/month, failing which payments shall immediately become due and payable in its entirety; and Probation for a period of approximately 8 months to the date of this order on the terms prescribed by the chambers judge, which is deemed fully satisfied.
"These victories in the name of religious freedom, the right to protest and free expression were only made possible through your generous crowdfunded donations to www.SaveArtur.com. The legal bill to fight the endless government resources is enormous, but we think every penny spent in the name of freedom is worth it. All donations to www.SaveArtur.com qualify for a charitable tax receipt through a partnership with the registered Canadian charity, the Democracy Fund."
May 17, 2022 - "The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) has announced a legal win for three British Columbia pastors ticketed for defying lockdown orders during the pandemic. A total of 24 tickets – adding up to $55,200 – against Pastors John Koopman of the Chilliwack Free Reformed Church, James Butler of the Free Grace Baptist Church and Timothy Champ of the Valley Heights Community Church, have been dropped by the B.C. Crown. The pastors were fined following their non-compliance with provincial government restrictions imposed on Nov. 2020, which banned in-person religious services....
"Koopman received 23 tickets totalling $52,900, while Butler received 25 tickets totalling $57,500, and Champ received 18 tickets totalling $41,400. The recent victory amounted to seven tickets dropped against Koopman, 11 against Butler and six against Champ, for a total of 24. The JCCF said there remains over 20 outstanding tickets issued against pastors and churches in B.C.’s Fraser Valley. 'The Justice Centre will vigorously defend pastors and churches against these charges in future appearances in Provincial Court,' said the legal charity, adding that over four dozen tickets against B.C. churches they represent have now been dropped.
"'All levels of government, including politicians, health officials and law enforcement, have the duty to respect the constitutional rights and freedoms of Canadians. In response to Covid, there has been a serious failure of government officials and authorities in BC to respect the Charter freedoms of BC residents,” said JCCF lawyer Marty Moore. Moore added that 'BC discriminated against houses of worship, prohibiting them from meeting for worship regardless of the safety measures they implemented.' While the B.C. government never shut down retail businesses during the first lockdown in the spring of 2020, it did impose restrictions on places of worship that were stricter than other provinces.
"Provincial politicians across Canada imposed restrictions on places of worship which some have said encroached on religious freedom – however many of those restrictions were capacity limits ... and not full closures as was the case in B.C. True North spoke to two northern B.C. pastors in December – Simon Lievaart of Bethel Reformed Church in Smithers and Andrew Simpson of the Heritage Free Presbyterian Church in Prince George – who defied public health orders including vaccine passports.... Other pastors across Canada also defied public health restrictions, including Pastor James Coates of Gracelife Church and Pastor Artur Pawlowski of the Cave of Adullam congregation in Alberta. In Ontario, Pastors Henry Hildebrandt of the Church of God in Aylmer, Aaron Rock of the Harvest Bible Church in Windsor and Jacob Reaume of the Trinity Bible Chapel in Waterloo opted not to comply with restrictions imposed by the Ford government.
"Throughout the pandemic, the JCCF has been representing people who were charged with breaking government Covid rules. The organization also represented the Freedom Convoy earlier this year."
May 16, 2021 - "The pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary has been arrested after months of encouraging congregants to break COVID-19-related public health rules. Pastor Tim Stephens is just one of a number of people arrested and/or charged in the past few weeks in Alberta after the United Conservative government brought in new protocols in early May to increase enforcement against COVID rule-breakers.... The heightened enforcement comes 14 months into the pandemic and after weeks of Alberta having the highest number of active cases per capita in Canada.
"Police said Stephens was arrested for organizing a church service on Sunday at Fairview Baptist Church, in violation of a Court of Queen's Bench Order that requires organizers of events to comply with public health restrictions. Stephens was proactively served last week with a copy of the court order, which was obtained by Alberta Health Services.
"Police said AHS had been attempting for weeks to work with the church to address the ongoing public health concerns at the site.... Stephens has previously been fined and ticketed for defying public health regulations by holding over-capacity gatherings and not enforcing mask use. Churches are currently limited to a maximum occupancy of 15 people, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta.... There have been multiple outbreaks at churches around the province during the COVID-19 pandemic, but only one church outbreak is currently active.
"'Restricting the church to 15 people — which essentially restricts the church from gathering — is against the will of Christ and against the conscience of many who desire to worship the Lord of glory according to his word,' Stephens wrote in a blog post following the updated restrictions earlier this month, add[ing] that he planned to continue to flout public safety laws.
"Since Alberta has seen increased enforcement against COVID-19 rule-breakers this month, those arrested and/or charged include:
[Pastor] Artur and Dawid Pawlowski, two organizers of a Calgary church service who have been defying public health restrictions throughout the pandemic.
Kevin J. Johnston, a Calgary mayoral candidate who's under a restraining order after threatening to arm himself and go to the homes of health workers.
Chris Scott, the owner of the Whistle Stop Café in Mirror, and some of his supporters, who continued to defy public health orders.
Ty and Gail Northcott, the organizers of a rodeo held to protest COVID-19 restrictions near Bowden.
"As well, Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church in the Edmonton-area has been on trial in May after officials said he repeatedly held in-person church services that ignored measures on capacity limits, physical distancing and masking."
May 8, 2021 - "Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley is praising police in the province who arrested two of the biggest organizers of COVID-19 lockdown protests.
"In Calgary, Pastor Art Pawlowski was stopped in the middle of 17 Ave. S.E., handcuffed as he knelt on the street and dragged away, when he refused to stand. His son, Dawid, received the same treatment [see video].
"In Mirror, 50 km east of Red Deer, the owner of the Whistle Stop Cafe, Chris Scott, was arrested and taken away by the RCMP at the end of a day’s protest. Scott was one of the first restaurant owners in Alberta to ignore the COVID-19 closure orders. This week, the RCMP raided his store and seized all his booze. Two days later, the RCMP arrived at dawn and padlocked his establishment. On Saturday, 1,500 people held a peaceful demonstration at the Whistle Stop to protest lockdowns. Scott was arrested after things wrapped up for the day.
“'Finally, some enforcement of the public health laws…#ableg #abhealth Why did it take so long?' Notley tweeted....
"But across the country, Maxime Bernier, leader of the Peoples Party of Canada, blasted the police actions. 'I can’t believe this is happening. Pastor Pawlowski lived under the communist regime in Poland in his youth. Today he is being arrested by a sanitary fascist regime in Canada and Alberta for holding a service. SHAME!' he tweeted.
"Bernier was in Regina at an anti-lockdown rally and had a police visit of his own. 'The Regina police gave us $,2800 tickets for speaking at the Freedom Rally this afternoon. Of course we’re going to fight these unconstitutional tickets in court!' he tweeted after the event."
April 7, 2021 - "With the police’s help, Alberta Health Services (AHS) barricaded GraceLife Church (GLC) at dawn Wednesday, preventing access to the building until the church complies with Alberta’s public health measures. The church, just outside Edmonton, under Pastor James Coates, has been breaking COVID-19 lockdown regulations every Sunday by holding packed services.
"Coates recently spent 35 days in solitary confinement at the Edmonton Remand Centre after turning himself in willingly for breaking COVID-19 public health measures. He was released without conditions in advance of his trial on May 3.... NDP leader Rachel Notley rejoiced over Alberta Health Services taking further steps to enforce public health orders at GLC....
"According to an AHS press release, they have attempted to work collaboratively with GraceLife for several months to address the site’s ongoing public health concerns.... From July 10, 2020, to April 6, 2021, AHS has received 105 complaints from the public about GLC. AHS inspectors, who were denied entry by Church elders last Sunday, have conducted 18 inspections at the site since July 10, 2020, and violations were observed at each visit. There have been no outbreaks reported to health officials or confirmed during the course of the pandemic at GraceLife....
"Representing Pastor Coates and Grace Life Church, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms expressed outrage at the Alberta Government’s decision to enter and put up a double barrier wall around private church property today.... 'The Alberta government has known for many months that it will be called to publicly account before the judiciary for its lockdown destruction of the Alberta economy and trampling of Albertan’s civil liberties,' states lawyer John Carpay, President of the Justice Centre. 'The government has so far refused to justify the limits on worship and gathering. Health orders are inconsistent, differing from province to province, and arbitrarily created by one public health official who is under no obligation legally to advise the legislatures of the science and rationale which supposedly are the basis of the orders,' continues Carpay.
"The Justice Centre is in the process of filing a subpoena to require Alberta Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw to testify at the trial of Pastor Coates on May 3, 2021. The Alberta Government Crown Prosecutor is requesting the Court adjourn the May 3 trial, claiming the government needs until summer to assemble its evidence."
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