Nearly five months ago a British Columbia-based non-profit known for its various legal challenges directed at the province's COVID-19 mandates began efforts to obtain permission to stream BC Supreme Court hearings — which has never been done..The potential webcast is in regard to the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Science in Public Policy’s (CSASPP) class action suit against provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, filed on January 26, 2021..The class action aims to hold Henry accountable for the province’s COVID-related measures implemented in March of 2020, when Henry declared a state of emergency. The case is not to be mistaken with CSASPP’s forward-moving petition for healthcare workers faced with vaccination mandates, as well as its recently axed — and potentially appealed — vaccine passport petition..READ MORE: Non-profit begins appeal after BC vaccine passport case axed.Contingent upon a December 2022 certification hearing, trial dates have been locked in for April 2023 for the class action..Regarding public access to its hearings, CSASPP has noted instances where people wanting to attend previous hearings have been unable to get a seat in the gallery..“Others have mobility issues because they are disabled, making it impractical to get to the courthouse,” CSASPP’s executive director, Kip Warner previously said..“And yet others are able bodied, but simply cannot afford to travel from Hope to Vancouver with the rising cost of fuel.”.Earlier this year the organization devised what it called a "simple solution," and that was to broadcast its hearings live to the public over the internet..Now the application is set to be heard November 7, however the society no longer seeks to live broadcast the hearings, but rather stream a recording each following day at 5 p.m..“This is to give the parties time to ensure privileged information has not accidentally been recorded, such as sensitive conversations between co-counsel or their notes,” Warner said Thursday..The constitutionally protected open court principle provides the public the right to observe the court process, albeit in an often archaic fashion..The judge overseeing the class action previously recommended CSASPP bring a formal application to expand the open court principle, and after reviewing the literature, Warner says he believes the court is more likely than not to be willing to “redefine what open court means in the 21st century.”.“If we prevail, again, this will establish a precedent that will have ramifications across the province, if not nationally, for other proceedings," he said..With the hearing now locked down for 9:45 a.m. on November 7 at 800 Smithe Street, Warner asks those planning on attending to leave signage and other protest paraphernalia outside of the building..“If we obtain a favourable judgment we can reassure everyone that they will be able to attend our certification, Dr. Bonnie Henry’s trial, and any other hearings, no matter their location or means,” said Warner..READ MORE: 'Logic is dead': Dire day for air travel vaccine lawsuits
