Manitoba Pastor Tobias Tissen prayed that the judge sentencing him and four others convicted of repeatedly violating COVID-19 public health orders would have a heart. .But they each got slapped with hefty multi-thousand-dollar fines Thursday..“During the testimony Wednesday, myself and the others arrested last year, each gave a statement about how the lockdowns affected us and why we did what we did,” said Tissen, pastor at the rural Church of God Restoration, near Steinbach..Tissen, Patrick Allard, Todd McDougall, Sharon Vickner and Gerald Bohemier admitted to breaking limits on outdoor public gatherings in 2020 and 2021..“I was praying this morning that all of that would weigh heavily on the judge’s mind as she considers the sentence,” said Tissen as he headed to court..“I said that my family has been traumatized for the last three years. And we were waiting for our day in court, hoping we would come to a just court and be vindicated for all that we suffered.” .“We had a full gallery of people in the court. A lot of the people were crying. All of us that were choked up during our speaking. I think we touched the heart of the judge.” .As it turned out, only a little..Provincial Court Judge Victoria Cornick didn’t agree with arguments from defence lawyers asking for a reprimand and no unduly harsh fines..Cornick imposed fines — ranging from $14,000 to $34,000 — slightly less than the $18,000 to $42,000 the Crown had pushed for, along with court costs and surcharges..Cornick said a message must be sent that public health orders are to be respected and noted that tickets handed out after each offence proved not to be a deterrent..Cornick obliged a defence request to allow seven years to pay..“I got a fine of $14,292, which is still higher than the face value of the fines. There were nine tickets before the court,” said Tissen after Connick handed down sentences..The Crown wanted a $22,000 fine for Tissen..Cornick imposed a whopping $34,000 fine on Allard, who ran as an independent in a provincial by-election earlier this year..He had been issued 14 tickets and continued to speak at rallies after receiving some of them..Allard and McDougall said they plan to appeal to a higher court and challenge the public health orders under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. .Tissen is also planning to appeal..“I personally have experienced now that we can’t really depend on a just outcome, at least on a provincial level of court.”.“It’s definitely showing Canada and the world what we’re up to in our courts.”.“And now is the time more than ever to make sure we’re in good standing with the Lord. He’s the ultimate judge who will judge at the end of time every case, everything that was wrong will be made right.’.Alex Steigerwald, who represents four of the five, told court his clients simply stood up for their beliefs that opposed COVID-19 restrictions.."They weren't breaking windows. They weren't rioting in the streets,” said Steigerwald..Nonetheless, under the constant surveillance of community Karens and police, they were repeatedly fined for speaking at rallies, and holding indoor and outdoor church services beyond allowable limits, .Tissen was issued several $1,296 tickets. The church was fined $5,000 for holding a Sunday service last November with more than 100 people..All five were arrested and briefly jailed at various points..RCMP handcuffed and arrested Tissen for and outstanding in front of his boys — aged six and three — and carted him off to Winnipeg police cells last October..It’s hard to forget the heartbreaking photo of those scared little boys peering through the window of the station trying to see their father. . Tobias Tissen’s childrenPastor Tobias Tissen’s boys — Silas, 6, (left) and Michael, 3 peering into the police station the night he was arrested trying to see daddy. .At one point, Health Minister Gordon sternly warned that law enforcement officers would monitor religious facilities..Around the time Tissen was jailed, Gordon, Minister of Families Rochelle Squires and Minister of Sport, Culture, and Heritage Cathy Cox were outed maskless at a weekend fundraising ball at Winnipeg’s Art Gallery. .READ MORE Pastor finally out of jail while maskless Manitoba ministers escape sanctions.Public health orders were in place dictating people in public places must wear a mask which can be removed when seated and eating or drinking..The ministers said they were really, very sorry. Nope, no heavy fines for them. No fines at all..Tissen was part of a group of churches that lost a Charter challenge against COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings and religious services in Manitoba..Last year, a Court of Queen's Bench justice ruled that under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a response to a public health emergency, restrictions were permissible.
