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Published:September 29, 2021

-Western Standard

 

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) is “growing tired” of repeated delays in their constitutional challenge against the Alberta government for “ineffective” lockdowns and restrictions.

In December 2020, the JCCF challenged the constitutionality of Dr. Deena Hinshaw’s health orders. The case was delayed numerous times by the Alberta government that finally submitted their evidence to justify its Charter-violating lockdown measures in July 2021. At that time, Hinshaw was scheduled to be cross-examined September 27 and 28 in the trial.

“These are issues of substantial public importance,” said Jay Cameron, litigation director for the Justice Centre in an interview with the Western Standard.

“For more than 18-months, Dr. Hinshaw issued orders which close houses of worship and all kinds of businesses, saw pastors thrown in jail for holding church services, prevent social gatherings, restrict movement, and even prohibit peaceful outdoor protest against her draconian and sometimes irrational measures.”

Shortly before trial was to start on September 20, another adjournment was requested by the government’s lawyers claiming Hinshaw was too busy managing the “forth wave” to come to court to which the JCCF “reluctantly” agreed to the adjournment.

On Tuesday, the court and the Justice Centre was notified by the Crown that “Dr. Hinshaw intends to take three days away from her role as the Chief Medial Officer of Health at the end of this week.”

“So, for the days she was scheduled to be cross-examined, she has now taken time off,” said Cameron.

The Crown acknowledged that “Dr. Hinshaw’s decision to take time off may appear to conflict with the representations” made to court that resulted in the adjournment of the trial.

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