CALGARY, Alberta (Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms) — The Justice Centre expresses disappointment in the October 20 decision of the Federal Court, which struck down the applications of former Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford, the Honorable Maxime Bernier, and others, who challenged the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccine travel mandates.
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Eleven days prior to the scheduled start of the constitutional hearing, the Federal Court issued a short decision, without reasons, notifying the parties that the applications had been struck down because they were considered moot.
The Court noted that detailed reasons for the decision will be issued following their translation into French.
The applicants intend to review the court’s complete reasons once they are issued, and Peckford, Bernier, and other applicants have expressed interest in appealing this decision.
“We are very disappointed with this decision of the Federal Court, as there are millions of unvaccinated Canadians who were waiting to learn whether the federal government had the legal right to prevent them from leaving the country,” stated Allison Pejovic, legal counsel for the applicants.
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“The travel mandate represents one of the most egregious infringements of Canadians’ mobility rights in Canadian history, and in our view, striking the lawsuit out before it is heard – and while the Prime Minister continues to threaten Canadians with further COVID restrictions – is a grave injustice.”
Reprinted with permission from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.