Charges against Coutts border protestor stayed
One of the final individuals to be penalized for participating in the Coutts, Alberta border demonstrations—had their charges stayed on Wednesday.
One of the final individuals to be penalized for participating in the Coutts, Alberta border demonstrations—part of the cross-country protests against COVID-19 mandates in 2022—had their charges stayed on Wednesday.
The Democracy Fund (TDF), a Canadian constitutional rights advocacy organization, represented Ursula Allred in court. Allred had been facing a mischief charge, among others, related to her presence near the Coutts protest site in early 2022.
“Securing a stay of Ms. Allred’s charges and the return of her phone after 37 months is a significant victory for justice,” said TDF’s senior litigation counsel Adam Blake-Gallipeau following the ruling.
“We will continue to vigorously defend the constitutional freedoms of Canadians prosecuted for peaceful protest.”
The Coutts demonstration involved a border blockade aimed at disrupting trade with the U.S. in protest of what many considered government overreach, including vaccine mandates and lockdowns.
“Following the submission of a Jordan Application by TDF lawyers, extensive negotiations, and preparations for a two-week trial, TDF lawyers have successfully secured a stay of all charges against Ms. Allred,” said the organization in a press release Wednesday.
“Additionally, after 37 months, TDF lawyers have secured the return of Ms. Allred’s cell phone, which had been seized by police in early 2022 and held throughout the legal process.”
The Democracy Fund continues to provide legal defence to Canadians charged during the Freedom Convoy protests and is currently representing over 30 individuals facing charges stemming from their peaceful assembly and free expression during the 2022 demonstrations.
“I am incredibly relieved to have this weight lifted. I’m deeply thankful to The Democracy Fund and their legal team for their tireless work in defending me and protecting my rights,” said Allred.
The group also represented several Amish families in Ontario who were facing $20,000 in COVID-related fines for violating the Quarantine Act after an Ontario court denied their application to reopen the tickets.
The Amish clients were convicted in absentia during the COVID-19 pandemic and accused of failing to comply with mandates such as not using the ArriveCan app–a government tracking tool introduced by the Trudeau government.
Collectively, these families face over $300,000 in fines all related to similar offences.
The latest ruling now leaves these families facing an average fine of $6,200 per ticket.
The Amish, who reject modern technology as part of their religious observances, were unable to comply with the ArriveCan requirement.
“This ruling underscores the unique vulnerabilities of the Amish community to modern legal systems,” said TDF’s litigation director Mark Joseph last month.
The highly contentious ArriveCan app was riddled with glitches and resulted in an RCMP investigation into GC Strategies, the company contracted by the Liberals to handle the project.
The penalties have had severe consequences, including damaging the credit ratings of the Amish community members and liens on their properties, threatening the future of their traditional way of life.
“The Grey County group’s $20,000 penalty adds to the growing toll on Ontario’s Amish communities,” wrote TDF in a press release at the time.
“As a religious minority with limited access to modern legal resources, the Amish face steep hurdles—such as restricted property transactions or farm succession—when liens are imposed.”
The group is currently reviewing the court’s decision to see if there is potential for an appeal.
Would Health Canada come forward with stats on How many died during the pandemic from the supposed disease and those killed by the vaccine from adverse side effects!
Also how much money BIG PHARMA made off of Canadians?