Lawyers at The Democracy Fund considering appeal after Ontario Court denies reopening applications.
TORONTO: While lawyers from The Democracy Fund (TDF) have successfully reopened Quarantine Act tickets for many Amish clients, a court has recently denied the reopening applications for two married couples. Each couple faces fines of approximately $7,000 per ticket, totalling nearly $28,000 in COVID-related penalties.
Members of the Amish community in Grey County, Ontario, were convicted in absentia of various offences during the COVID-19 lockdowns. TDF is representing approximately 27 members of the community who are collectively facing $300,000 for allegedly failing to complete the ArriveCan app and other related violations.
Living in accordance with their deeply held religious beliefs, the Amish do not use modern conveniences, including electricity, making compliance with the digital ArriveCan app nearly impossible. Liens have been placed on their properties, posing a significant threat to their livelihoods and way of life.
TDF lawyers are now reviewing the court's decision to determine whether there are grounds for appeal.
Despite this setback, TDF has successfully reopened tickets for multiple Amish clients. This allows the clients to receive a Notice of Trial and, eventually, to set trial dates. As a vulnerable religious minority with limited knowledge of the modern legal system, the Amish face unique challenges in navigating it. In cases where liens are placed on their properties, they encounter significant barriers, such as difficulty obtaining loans or transferring farms to the next generation.
For other Amish files where tickets were reopened, the legal team will review disclosure, engage with Crown counsel, and if necessary, proceed to trial. The goal is to have these tickets stayed, withdrawn, or otherwise resolved.
The fight is far from over. TDF is aware of additional Amish clients in need of support and is investigating reports of similar impacts on other Amish communities facing liens and fines.
Donations from our community help us fight for the constitutional rights of Canadians, and make this vital work possible. We are committed to pursuing justice for the Amish community, and we need your support to appeal this decision. If you'd like to contribute to this cause, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.
About The Democracy Fund:
Founded in 2021, The Democracy Fund (TDF) is a Canadian charity dedicated to constitutional rights, advancing education, and relieving poverty. TDF promotes constitutional rights through litigation and public education and supports access-to-justice initiatives for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed by government lockdowns and other public policy responses to the pandemic.