A Toronto church is fighting Ontario’s COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which limit religious gatherings to just ten people..The Toronto International Celebration Church (TICC) filed an application on Tuesday with the Superior Court of Justice (Toronto Region) claiming the provincial order limiting religious gatherings violates constitutional rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. .Founding pastor Peter Youngren, argues the law violates religious freedoms and does “not represent a tailored response to the current COVID-19 health crisis”, and views church as an essential service..A Toronto Public Health inspector visited TICC premises previously and gave a “glowing report” regarding the COVID-19 measures put in place..TICC is also asking for an interim order to remain open pending the court’s decision. .“We are seeking interlocutory relief and requesting that Schedule 4, Section 1 (1)(d) of Ontario Regulation 654/20 not apply to TICC until such time as our full application can be heard… We believe that without interim relief, the current lockdown will have a devastating irreparable effect on the Church and also on those in our congregation who rely and need in-person worship,” Youngrens’ affidavit reads..Religious freedom in Canada is specifically guaranteed under the Charter..While the Ontario order clearly violates sections of the Charter, the legal argument will be decided around Section 1 – whether or not the suspension of rights was “reasonable” in terms of protecting the public during the COVID-19 pandemic..Section 1 of the Charter reads, “1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.” .This is the section of the Charter upon which constitutional challenges are usually based. The “reasonable limits” condition provides the foundation for legal argument. .Youngren has asked the court to make a ruling before Sunday..“We are non COVID-19 deniers. We have carefully adhered to all of the government requirements regarding safe distancing, wearing masks, and only operating at a 30 per cent capacity. However, we are deeply concerned about equal treatment under the law,” Youngren said in a video statement. .“At a time when many are suffering with isolation, depression and a sense of despair, the most loving thing a church can do is to open its’ doors wide… while maintaining public health standards.”.Ken Grafton is the Western Standards Ottawa Bureau Chief. He can be reached at kgrafton@westernstandardonline.com
A Toronto church is fighting Ontario’s COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which limit religious gatherings to just ten people..The Toronto International Celebration Church (TICC) filed an application on Tuesday with the Superior Court of Justice (Toronto Region) claiming the provincial order limiting religious gatherings violates constitutional rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. .Founding pastor Peter Youngren, argues the law violates religious freedoms and does “not represent a tailored response to the current COVID-19 health crisis”, and views church as an essential service..A Toronto Public Health inspector visited TICC premises previously and gave a “glowing report” regarding the COVID-19 measures put in place..TICC is also asking for an interim order to remain open pending the court’s decision. .“We are seeking interlocutory relief and requesting that Schedule 4, Section 1 (1)(d) of Ontario Regulation 654/20 not apply to TICC until such time as our full application can be heard… We believe that without interim relief, the current lockdown will have a devastating irreparable effect on the Church and also on those in our congregation who rely and need in-person worship,” Youngrens’ affidavit reads..Religious freedom in Canada is specifically guaranteed under the Charter..While the Ontario order clearly violates sections of the Charter, the legal argument will be decided around Section 1 – whether or not the suspension of rights was “reasonable” in terms of protecting the public during the COVID-19 pandemic..Section 1 of the Charter reads, “1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.” .This is the section of the Charter upon which constitutional challenges are usually based. The “reasonable limits” condition provides the foundation for legal argument. .Youngren has asked the court to make a ruling before Sunday..“We are non COVID-19 deniers. We have carefully adhered to all of the government requirements regarding safe distancing, wearing masks, and only operating at a 30 per cent capacity. However, we are deeply concerned about equal treatment under the law,” Youngren said in a video statement. .“At a time when many are suffering with isolation, depression and a sense of despair, the most loving thing a church can do is to open its’ doors wide… while maintaining public health standards.”.Ken Grafton is the Western Standards Ottawa Bureau Chief. He can be reached at kgrafton@westernstandardonline.com
