LIVE UPDATES: Non-profit group challenging BC's COVID-19 state of emergency
British Columbians seeking accountability for the harms caused by COVID-19 restrictions, which were ordered by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, are in court looking to move forward with a class action lawsuit challenging B.C.'s provincial declaration of a state of emergency.
The proposal for the class action suit, which will also seek damages, is brought on by a non-profit and secular organization called the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Science in Public Policy (CSASPP).
Drea Humphrey, who is covering the hearing today, previously reported on this story in late 2022. You can catch up on that report right here, or in the video below:
Drea is live tweeting today's hearing as it happens. Follow along with updates from the courtroom as they happen.
Sue Bonnie Henry? I’m back at the Supreme Court of BC. I’ll be live tweeting the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Science in Public Policy (CSASPP’s) case seeking certification for a class action suit challenging the declaration of a COVID emergency https://t.co/Gi9Wj4LxWc pic.twitter.com/4wuanpMBJj
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Below is one of my reports with more info about this case for those who are just learning about it now.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
You know, since the state’s media is behaving as though a proposed law suit against the provinces most powerful doctor is not of public interest.https://t.co/VZHYLIojF5
CSASPP describes itself as “a non-profit, non-partisan, secular, crowd funded, and volunteer driven organization that was created in response to popular community demand for a direct action initiative to counter BC’s COVID-19 related measures.” https://t.co/4Bk96HjsXF
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
If CSASPP is granted certification for this law suit it means:
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
a) They can attack the Achilles heel of all of Dr. Henry’s COVID-19 mandates on behalf of British Columbians who were and still are disadvantaged by them.
Ie. If a COVID emergency shouldn’t have been declared then Dr. Henry shouldn’t have mandated COVID emergency measures.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
b) CSASPP will also be granted discovery if certified. Meaning, Dr. Henry would finally have to attest to what “science” she’s relied on for oppressive mandates
Justice David A. Crerar, is presiding over the matter.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Lawyer Polina Furtula is representing CSASPP.
Hearing has began with a bit of house keeping.
*photo credit: Medicine Matters & Citadel Law pic.twitter.com/9JtkX7zn4R
CSASPP lawyer brings attention to statements and quotations of Dr. Henry made by BCCDC.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Crown wants the BCCDC added as a individual defendant.
CSASPP does not believe it is necessary.
Giving examples on how the BCCDC acts as a spokesperson for the PHO
Crown counsel begins by going over preliminary matters.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Recaps the crown’s position during the hearings that took place for this case in December (video report shared above).
Gov’s position is that the case should be dismissed as an abuse of process.
Crown says plaintiff’s case is based on profound misunderstandings.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
“From here we intend to address
that plaintiff has met none of the criteria for certification.”
Crown lists previous COVID-19 cases and appeals including one where Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson ruled church doors remain closed by the state but citizens have right to peaceful protest.https://t.co/ri8A23NG6Z
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Crown also brings up various BC vaccine passport legal challenges, including one where generous Rebel News’ supporters donated so the democracy Fund ( @TDF_Can ) to fight at no cost to the plaintiffs.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
A couple of those cases are awaiting appeal. https://t.co/OHXQP46B8C
Crown is also objecting to CSASPP’s expert, Dr. Joel Kettner.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Dr. Kettner is a former Chief Public Health Officer for Winnipeg. https://t.co/yvpa9BGlKz
Crown objection claims that Dr. Kettner’s “affidavit is entirely irrelevant to the request for certification.”
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Crown says case should be dismissed as an abuse of process for bringing forward similar cases that have already gone forward.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Justice asks Crown if they believe the certification hearing should move forward as planned.
Crown doesn’t want CSASPP’s latest request for amendments to be granted.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
“It’s our position that this case should proceed and the plaintiff’s have created this mess.”
Justice poses same question to CSASPP lawyer.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Counsel Furtula’s response: We want to proceed this week and I believe that the court can still make a decision about whether or not the certification can be justified.
Crown continues to argue against the CSASPP’s request for amendments.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
“This is the plaintiffs 6th version of the defendants notice of claim.”
“The pleading is still radically defective.”
Crown: We say this case is more akin to the types of cases where the courts have not admitted ammendnents
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
There is no purpose for further amendments
Reminds Justice that he directed CSASPP to make sure their claim@was in compliance more than 18 months ago.
Crown continues with arguments against Society’s application for amendments.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
“I think the court can safely assume this is their best case, they’re putting their best foot forward.”
Justice says in honour of fairness to CSASPP’s counsel, some of the previous amendments were housekeeping in nature.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
“I throw that out there for both parties to distinguish between changes of substance and changes of just housekeeping” since COVID measures were always changing.
Crown says they take no issue with housekeeping amendments. Says those are not the types of amendments they are discussing.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Crown says plaintiff’s provided arguments about PCR tests not always being reliable and treatments being compromised but didn’t provide any material evidence of such.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
A first of many of the reports I did on how COVID mandates were harming society informed the public about an inquiry of ministry to the Government of Canada.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
The inquiry showed that under Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC cancelled close to 60,000 surgeries in just a 3 month period. pic.twitter.com/JYmLjEC9Mx
Here is an example of what happens when tyrannical mandates forbid physicians from doing surgeries.
— Drea Humphrey - Prepping and Politics (@DreaHumphrey) April 24, 2023
Jerry Dunham, who was a father of two was denied surgery for his failing heart because his surgery was deemed “non essential” https://t.co/tzWp8qMTXh
Featured Stories
