Ty Northcott, the organizer of the ‘No More Lockdowns’ rodeo, will no longer stand trial for failure to comply with COVID restrictions. The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) has concluded that there is no longer a reasonable likelihood of conviction in relation to the charges under the Public Health Act.
Northcott’s rodeo took place over two days in May 2021, attracting around 2,000 attendees each day near Bowden. The event faced significant opposition from law enforcement and the Alberta Health bureaucracy. However, a ruling on July 31 condemned Alberta’s COVID mandates, leading the Crown prosecutors to drop non-violent COVID charges against pastors and small businesses.
Justice Barbara Romaine, in her 90-page ruling, invalidated the province’s health orders, stating that they breached the Public Health Act due to an improper decision-making framework. She concluded that the final decision-making power rested solely within cabinet and elected-member committees, which was impermissible under the act. As a result, the measures were deemed to have no legal standing.
Following this ruling, two prosecutors confirmed that they would invite judges to stay three prosecutions, including Ty Northcott’s case. The ACPS also intends to end their pursuit of 14 prosecutions, which includes the cases of Pastor James Coates and Whistle Stop Café owner Christopher Scott.
Crown prosecutor Peter Mackenzie, who oversaw the Northcott Rodeo prosecution, requested a judicial stay for the accused who did not attend court. This move comes after Northcott was convicted last month for violating the Public Health Act.
Rebel News reached out to Ty Northcott for comment but did not receive a response from him at the time of writing. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which provided legal assistance to Northcott and other individuals, expressed its satisfaction with the court ruling. They have been supporting Albertans since 2020 who have faced prosecutions related to COVID restrictions. The Justice Centre’s president, John Carpay, praised the individuals who stood up against unreasonable measures that violated their fundamental rights and freedoms for extended periods.
The ruling in Ingram v. Alberta, named after gym owner Rebecca Ingram, was crucial in striking down the measures. It concluded that the restrictions repeatedly violated rights of association, expression, conscience, religion, and peaceful assembly. The court action began in December 2020 when the plaintiffs, including Ingram, filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the COVID restrictions and mandates under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Overall, the dropping of charges against Ty Northcott and others is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over COVID restrictions and their impact on individual rights and freedoms. The ruling by Justice Barbara Romaine has set a precedent in Alberta and raises questions about the government’s decision-making process during times of crisis. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms continues to support Albertans in their fight for their fundamental rights and freedoms.
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