Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

In-person gatherings important, says church lawyer

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Mar, 2021 09:33 PM
  • In-person gatherings important, says church lawyer

A lawyer for several British Columbia churches says the province's COVID-19 restrictions substantially interfere with his clients' rights to freedom of religion under the Canadian charter.

Paul Jaffe told the B.C. Supreme Court that religion is far more than belief, thoughts and opinions, rather it's the "actual practice" of those things in ways that are an important part of the faith.

Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson said during a hearing on Tuesday people are still free to hold and express religious views and it's the safety of those who are gathering that's at issue.

Jaffe argued churches are stereotyped in a way that presents them as some of kind risk when fitness centres, schools and stores remain open.

He works with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a Calgary-based legal advocacy group that's also asking the court to dismiss tickets of up to $2,300 each for alleged violations of the orders by his clients.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and the province have said they are confident the health orders are in accordance with the law, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

SFU reports data breach through cyberattack

SFU reports data breach through cyberattack
The university says the breach mostly involved student or employee identification numbers and at least one other data element, such as admission or academic standing.

SFU reports data breach through cyberattack

Man found dead in his Clayton Heights home: IHIT

Man found dead in his Clayton Heights home: IHIT
The last time Golofit made contact with friends was around 8 a.m. on February 11, 2021. Investigators will be working to build a timeline of Golofit’s activities from that point forward.

Man found dead in his Clayton Heights home: IHIT

StatCan report details dig into jobs-data leak

StatCan report details dig into jobs-data leak
The report, dated June 5 but being made public today, doesn't say how the details on the historic job losses in April made it into a media report before the agency officially released it.

StatCan report details dig into jobs-data leak

Trudeau insists Canada's vaccine supply is secure

Trudeau insists Canada's vaccine supply is secure
Moderna has confirmed delivery of another 168,000 doses next week, with 1.3 million to follow in March.

Trudeau insists Canada's vaccine supply is secure

Vancouver mayor to pursue handgun ban

Vancouver mayor to pursue handgun ban
The proposed legislation would allow municipalities to ban the weapons through bylaws restricting their possession, storage and transportation.

Vancouver mayor to pursue handgun ban

Vaccine influx to test provinces' COVID promises

Vaccine influx to test provinces' COVID promises
Regional outbreaks, emerging variants and a gradual reopening in various parts of the country have added pressure on provinces tasked with rectifying delays blamed primarily on slowed shipments from overseas manufacturers.

Vaccine influx to test provinces' COVID promises