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Calgary man charged for following judge presiding over 2021 Manitoba churches COVID appeal

A 55-year-old man from Calgary has been charged by police in connection to the attempted intimidation of a Judge.

Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) say their investigation began in July 2021, after Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench, Glenn Joyal, was followed.

At the time, Joyal said he realized he was being followed by a vehicle after leaving the courthouse.

He said a person, who appeared to be a teenage boy, also went to his home and spoke with his daughter. There was also information his private cottage was observed.

Joyal said it soon became clear a private investigation agency was hired “for the clear purpose of gathering what was hoped would be potentially embarrassing information in relation to my compliance with COVID public health restrictions.”


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Police were called to investigate, as was the provincial government’s internal security and intelligence unit. Joyal said, until Monday’s court hearing, the private investigator had refused to say whom their client was.

Since the incident, WPS was able to learn that a private investigation firm was hired to surveil the judge. Investigators were also able to determine the suspect was “a representative of several provincial Churches and associates of Churches in Manitoba and was in the process of bringing a high-profile constitutional challenge to provincially enacted COVID-19 Public Health Orders.”

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for the suspect, John Victor Carpay, a 55-year-old man from Calgary.

WPS say police in Calgary were able to take Carpay into custody, and he has since been charged with intimidation of a justice system participant and attempt to obstruct justice.

In October, Joyal ruled against the seven Manitoba churches that were fighting public health orders meant to stem the spread of COVID-19.

He said public health orders do not violate charter rights and the chief provincial public health officer can lawfully impose such restrictions.

Winnipeg police say their investigation into the judge being followed is still ongoing and are asking if anyone has any information to contact investigators at 204-986-6219 or CrimeStoppers at 204-786-8477.

-With files from the Canadian Press

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