Legal challenge launched against Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions
Posted December 7, 2020 8:50 am.
Last Updated December 7, 2020 8:52 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A legal defence group has filed a court challenge to orders made by the Alberta government, demanding to end the COVID-19 restrictions.
But one expert believes the government can limit the freedom of people if it’s temporary and if to protect public safety.
This comes after last week’s Walk for Freedom rally in Calgary, where three people were ticketed for not following public health orders.
Now, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) said it is representing two Alberta churches and two individuals to stop the restrictive measures.
In a release, justice lawyer James Kitchen said, “the people of Alberta have suffered under the oppression of a medical dictatorship for long enough. The soul-destroying lockdowns have wrought havoc. It’s time for Albertans to get their freedom back.”
BREAKING NEWS: Justice Centre takes Alberta to court to end lockdownshttps://t.co/pmDTxqnky6
— Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (@JCCFCanada) December 5, 2020
They argue since March 40 public health orders have crushed constitutionally-protected rights and freedoms saying the latest round of public health orders outlaw people visiting friends and family or holding small gatherings in their homes, and restrict outside gatherings, weddings and funerals to 10 people.
“Your freedom is stopped or constrained by the freedom of others and you have to behave in ways that respect other people’s freedoms.”
Political Science professor at the University of Calgary Jean-Christophe Boucher argues under the Canadian constitution, governments under duress can limit the freedom of some people if it is temporary and to prevent bigger harm to society, in this case, COVID-19.
As of Sunday, Alberta’s active cases are climbing steadily towards the 20,000 mark.
“Yes it infringes upon your liberty to do what you want but it’s necessary to protect other people,” said Boucher. “That would be shut down by the Supreme Court of Canada in five seconds.”
The application challenging the orders will be heard in Calgary on Dec. 17.
