A BC Supreme Court judge denied the province’s bid to throw out a legal challenge against its COVID-19 vaccine orders for healthcare workers last week..The petition was filed by the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Science in Public Policy (CSASPP) in early November, the basis of which argues that provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s orders requiring healthcare workers to be double-vaccinated is “unreasonable and unconstitutional.”.CSASPP's petition challenges three orders issued late 2021, and Henry’s lawyers argued the petition should not be heard in court due to the organization lacking public interest standing. Despite Henry’s attempt to have it dismissed, she was unsuccessful. The petition will continue along with CSASPP’s more widely known class action..Justice Simon Coval made the decision Wednesday..“The petition challenges state action based on legislatively delegated discretionary powers,” said the judge..“In my view, the petitioners are correct that whether those actions comply with the Charter and the Judicial Review Procedure Act are clearly questions suitable for judicial determination.”.Despite a province-wide nurse shortage, Henry remains hell-bent on maintaining the orders. BC will address the shortage not by allowing unvaccinated healthcare workers to return to work, but rather making it easier for vaccinated, internationally educated nurses to get registered and licensed..No exemptions to the vaccine are permitted on grounds of religious belief or conscience as highlighted in CSASPP’s forward-moving petition..“A gentle reminder to please continue to replenish our war chest as we continue to deliver value for money,” writes the non-profit, crowdfunded, and self described non-partisan organization..When asked about circulating concerns regarding another BC-based organization’s use of donor funds, CSASPP’s executive director Kip Warner told the Western Standard his team will continue to offer financial transparency for donors wanting to look at its books.
