Accompanied by BC Interior Health officials, RCMP officers muscled up to West Kelowna’s Iron Energy Gym on Thursday bearing a $2,300 fine..In the eyes of the owners, staff, members, and much of the public, Iron Energy is simply operating a business and allowing people to workout..In the eyes of the state, however, the gym is refusing to obey mandatory public health orders..“The only reason we are here today is to ensure that you people are safe and that they [regulators] are safe,” one RCMP officer can be heard telling Iron Energy staff..In addition to a fine, the City of West Kelowna is withholding the 2022 business licence renewal for Iron Energy..“I’m writing to you as a small business owner in your city, a concerned citizen of West Kelowna,” writes the gym in an open letter to Gord Milsom, Mayor of West Kelowna..“Recently our business licence was unlawfully pulled away from us because we refused to comply with a provincial health order that defies the Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.⣔.Iron Energy explains its decision to stay open is not a selfish one, but rather selfless, because it’s choosing to “fight for the mental health” of its 1350 members..“We aren’t asking for much — but we are asking you to reconsider the city’s decision to close gyms and negatively impact the mental health of the city that you govern,” writes Iron Energy, further explaining how Interior Health has blocked, deleted, and silenced its members who’ve expressed concern..In a social media post, Iron Energy said Tanya Gaw from Action4Canada is “helping educate us on our rights as Canadians.”.Action4Canada describes itself as “a grassroots movement reaching out to millions of Canadians and uniting our voices in opposition to the destructive policies tearing at the fabric of this nation.”.While Action4Canada is supported by many within what can be called the “freedom movement,” it’s also increasingly questioned for its alleged lack of transparency regarding the use of donor funds..The organization, which has been observed taking large quantities of cash donations at various rallies in Vancouver, is represented by Ontario lawyer Rocco Galati. Sometimes referred to as “the top constitutional lawyer in Canada,” Galati has not yet attended any hearings for proceedings he started relating to COVID-19 matters in BC or Ontario..It’s unknown how much of Action4Canada’s donations have gone to Galati, but his billings have been questioned in the past. In 2014 a federal court judge referred to Galati’s billings in one case as “excessive and unwarranted.”.“Because I heard he was the ‘top constitutional lawyer,’ I reached out to him,” Adam Skelly, who made headlines in 2020 for refusing to close his restaurant, told the Western Standard..“He wanted $250,000. That was one of the first things we talked about. A few months later we spoke again and it was the same thing. He wanted $250,000, half up front. He told me there were three people in Canada who could handle a constitutional challenge like mine. One is dead, another is a lawyer at his firm, and himself — therefore the only people capable of handling my case was apparently a dead guy and two lawyers at his firm.”.Skelly opted not to go with Galati because, according to him, it seemed imprudent to have one lawyer handling all of the major constitutional challenges in the country..“If he had some success I may have hired him,” said Skelly..Vladislav Soboled — also known as Coach Vlad — says he’s been openly questioning Galati for months at various freedom rallies in Vancouver. As a result, Vlad claims to have been “threatened and harassed for questioning the Rocco challenge in BC.”.The Western Standard reached out to Action4Canada’s Gaw for an interview on Friday morning, but has yet to hear back. The Western Standard also reached out to Galati on August 28, 2021, however he didn’t respond..As for Iron Energy, many who are in support of the gym’s decision to stay open are concerned it may be receiving legal advice from one of Galati’s arms in BC — thus leading to a possible retaining of the Ontario-based lawyer..“Every time he gets involved it’s a step back for the cause,” said a former supporter of Galati and Action4Canada who wishes to remain anonymous..Iron Energy’s GoFundMe page can be found here, and donors can leave comments regarding how they’d like to see their money allocated, albeit it is the business’s decision..The current province-wide restrictions are:.No organized indoor gatherings of any size, such as weddings;Bars and nightclubs closed;Gyms, fitness centres and dance studios closed;Sports tournaments cancelledSeated events reduced to 50% capacity, regardless of size;Maximum six people per table at cafes, pubs, restaurants etc.Vaccine passports are required to enter many establishments still open to the public..Reid Small is a BC-based reporter for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
