Churches in Manitoba Court of Appeal to challenge COVID-19 rules
Posted December 13, 2022 3:22 pm.
Last Updated December 13, 2022 3:49 pm.
Lawyers for seven Manitoba churches made another attempt Tuesday to have some of the province’s former COVID-19 restrictions declared invalid.
The churches say public health orders in 2020 and 2021 that temporarily closed in-person religious services, then permitted them with caps on attendance, violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
A Court of Queen’s Bench justice previously rejected that argument and said the restrictions were necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The churches’ lawyer told the Court of Appeal on Tuesday that the trial judge erred in not fully examining whether less restrictive rules could have achieved the same goal.
“The key issue is whether less intrusive options were available,” Eugene Meehan told the court.
“So many other businesses could be open when churches were closed.”
At the trial in 2021, health officials testified that strict public health orders were needed to quickly contain the spread of the novel coronavirus as the number of cases spiked and hospitals were strained. The shortage of intensive care beds became so severe at one point in 2021 that dozens of patients were flown to other provinces to free up bed space.
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Manitoba’s public health orders changed frequently along with case numbers. At times, many non-essential retail stores were closed and church services were restricted to online-only. People were limited in having guests in their home.
Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, had said that close, prolonged indoor contact was a prime driver of cases and such contact occurs at church services, wedding and funerals.
Meehan told the Appeal Court that religious services faced stricter rules than restaurants, stores and other businesses. Even when in-person services were first allowed, the cap on attendance was lower than at a shopping mall.
Meehan said religious services are more protected by the Charter than shopping and should not face stricter limits.
“Non-constitutionally protected activities and businesses are permitted (under the former orders) … and constitutionally protected activities are not.”
The Manitoba government lifted all COVID-19 public health orders in March of this year. Meehan said it is important for the court to rule on the case so governments have guidance for future public health emergencies.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2022.
