A pastor facing a charge of causing a disturbance under section 175 of the Criminal Code will be defended by TDF.
TORONTO—The Democracy Fund (TDF) announces it will defend Pastor Jeffrey Sapocinik who is criminally charged for peacefully preaching on a Toronto street.
On July 19, 2025, Pastor Sapocinik - a street preacher and pastor of Narrow Way Baptist Church - was peacefully sharing his Christian beliefs on a public sidewalk in Toronto when he was approached by police. After some discussion, police officers arrested and charged him for causing a disturbance.
This arrest follows a similar incident in November 2023 when Pastor Sapocinik was criminally charged for preaching near the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. That charge was ultimately withdrawn by Crown prosecutors on the eve of trial.
TDF has stepped in to support Pastor Sapocinik’s defence for his latest criminal charge. TDF lawyers are expected to argue that the application of s.175 of the Criminal Code in this context is inappropriate and infringes on Pastor Sapocinik's Charter-protected rights to freedom of expression and religion.
Senior litigation counsel for TDF, Adam Blake-Gallipeau, stated, “The repeated targeting of Pastor Sapocinik for his peaceful expression of faith is a direct infringement on the fundamental freedoms of speech and religion guaranteed by the Charter. Section 175 was never intended to silence peaceful public religious expression, and we will vigorously defend Pastor Sapocinik’s right to share his Christian beliefs without fear of prosecution.”
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.