Pastor Derek Reimer awaits the Court's decision in Crown's appeal.
CALGARY: The Democracy Fund (TDF) continues its legal representation of Pastor Derek Reimer as the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta considers the Crown’s appeal of his September 24, 2024, acquittal on charges of mischief and causing a disturbance. TDF has partnered with lawyer Andrew MacKenzie, who, alongside TDF’s Senior Litigation Counsel, Adam Blake-Gallipeau, appeared in court to defend Reimer’s rights on May 2, 2025. Appeal submissions are now complete, and the parties await the court’s decision in this critical case.
The Crown seeks to reverse Pastor Reimer’s acquittal on charges arising from his peaceful protest on February 25, 2023, at a “Reading with Royalty” event, commonly known as a drag queen story hour, at the Seton Library in Calgary. Pastor Reimer was peacefully protesting what he believed to be the inappropriate exposure of sexual themes to children. After being physically ejected from the event, he was arrested and charged with mischief and causing a disturbance. The trial judge found Pastor Reimer not guilty on both counts, a ruling the Crown now challenges, asserting that the trial judge misapplied the law and failed to consider salient evidence adequately.
At the appeal hearing, lawyer Andrew MacKenzie, who secured Reimer’s acquittal at trial, and Adam Blake-Gallipeau, Senior Litigation Counsel at TDF, were present to defend Reimer’s right to peaceful protest and free expression. Blake-Gallipeau remarked, “This appeal is a pivotal test of free speech in Canada. The Crown’s attempt to overturn the acquittal risks further restricting the ability to voice dissent, particularly on issues related to public events involving children.”
The Democracy Fund will provide updates as the court’s decision is announced.
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 an access to justice initiative for Canadians whose civil liberties have been infringed by government lockdowns and other public policy responses to the pandemic.