Lawyers at The Democracy Fund weigh appeal options after Ontario Court rejects application.
TORONTO: The Democracy Fund (TDF) suffered a legal setback as an Ontario court denied a reopening application for a group of Amish clients facing Quarantine Act violations. The group, consisting of several families from Grey County, Ontario, now faces fines totalling nearly $20,000 in COVID-related penalties.
The Amish clients were convicted in absentia during the COVID-19 pandemic for allegedly failing to comply with mandates, including the use of the ArriveCan app. TDF is representing this group as part of its broader effort to defend more than 30 Amish individuals across Ontario, who collectively face over $300,000 in fines for similar offences. The recent ruling leaves these families with fines averaging $6,200 per ticket, compounding their financial burden.
Living by strict religious precepts, the Amish do not use modern technology, including electricity and digital devices, rendering compliance with the ArriveCan app—a mandatory digital reporting tool at the time—virtually impossible. The imposition of these fines has led to liens on their properties and damaged credit ratings, threatening their ability to sustain their farms and traditional way of life.
TDF lawyers are evaluating the court’s decision to assess potential grounds for an appeal. “This ruling underscores the unique vulnerabilities of the Amish community to modern legal systems,” said Mark Joseph, TDF Litigation Director.
While this loss marks a challenge, TDF has secured victories for other Amish clients, successfully reopening tickets and recently securing a number of withdrawals. For the remaining cases, the legal team is reviewing disclosure and communicating with Crown counsel.
The Grey County group’s $20,000 penalty adds to the growing toll on Ontario’s Amish communities. TDF remains committed to their defence, exploring further reports of liens and fines affecting other Amish families across the province. As a religious minority with limited access to modern legal resources, the Amish face steep hurdles—such as restricted property transactions or farm succession—when liens are imposed. The costs of this representation continue to rise: your donations ensure that we can continue fighting for the Amish.