Saskatoon PPC candidate among those seeking injunction against Sask. proof-of-vaccination policy
Saskatchewan’s proof of vaccination policy is facing a legal challenge.
An application has been filed at Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon against four Crown corporations and the province’s attorney general.
It seeks an injunction that the provincial government, including Crowns and other departments, may not require proof of vaccination as a condition to enter their premises, obtain services or employment.
The applicants include Mark Friesen, who ran as a candidate for the People's Party of Canada (PPC) in the Sept. 20 federal election, and two entities named Concerned Citizens (Estevan) and Unified Grassroots.
The application also requests that any medical testing requirements extend to everyone regardless of their vaccination status, that they do not frustrate or coerce people into submitting to vaccination as an alternative, be as least intrusive as possible and be provided at the expense of those requiring the test.
It requests any entities not normally subject to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms be subject to the same limitations.
"We filed this injunction because of the horrific consequences to so many peoples jobs and livelihoods," Friesen said in an email to CTV News.
"Of course we also believe that the vax pass/vax mandates are unconstitutional and creating a 'show me your papers' society."
"We offer a reasonable redress. Test everyone with rapid antigen test. At employers expense. Not only would that meet the government obligation to not discriminate, it would be responsible use of taxpayer money."
Friesen said the challenge is unrelated to the PPC as he is not a candidate anymore and that he is simply a concerned citizen.
Premier Scott Moe announced on Sept. 17 that a proof-of-vaccination policy would come into effect on Oct. 1.
A proof of vaccination or a negative test will be required at establishments including restaurants, casinos, movie theatres and indoor facilities hosting ticketed sporting events. The same requirements will be put in place for all provincial and Crown employees.
The Ministry of Justice says it believes the measures are legal.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is confident the measures it has put in place to address the pandemic are aligned with federal and provincial laws and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We have nothing further to provide on this matter at this time," a spokesperson told CTV News in an email.
A SaskEnergy spokesperson said in an email that SaskEnergy has not been served with any legal papers and would not be commenting publicly as the issue, if served, is before the courts.
The injunction application says the policy violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms - including the freedom of thought, belief, and opinion that proof of vaccination measures are “intended to frustrate and coerce the individual to abandon their thoughts, beliefs, and opinion, and to encourage submission to government opinion.”
It also alleges the policy violates the rights to freedom of expression and peaceable assembly, and the rights to life, liberty and security of the person and privacy.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
The respondents are SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and the Attorney General for Saskatchewan.
They can address the application at a hearing set for late October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.