Saskatchewan father appeals conviction in COVID vaccine child abduction

A Saskatchewan man found guilty of abducting his seven-year-old daughter to prevent her COVID-19 vaccination is challenging both his conviction and sentence at the province's highest court.

Michael Gordon Jackson filed a notice of appeal with the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal on December 6, the same day he received his sentence. 

In his filing, Jackson claims the verdict was "unreasonable" and resulted in a "miscarriage of justice" that "cannot be supported by the evidence."

The case gained national attention when Jackson failed to return his daughter to her mother after a visit in November 2021, sparking a months long search that ended with his arrest in Vernon, B.C., in February 2022. 

Jackson had taken the child in an attempt to prevent her from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, which her mother had planned to do.

Following a two week trial in April 2024, a jury found Jackson guilty of contravening a custody order. 

Justice MacMillan-Brown sentenced him to one year in jail, two years of probation, and 100 hours of community service. 

Due to credit for the 541 days he spent in custody, Jackson was not required to serve additional jail time.

The probation order prohibits Jackson from contacting his daughter or her mother without express written permission from the court. 

Jackson said he would seek legal representation for any potential new trial as he represented himself in court so far.

The Crown had originally sought a two year prison sentence with credit for time served, three years of probation, and 200 hours of community service. 

Jackson maintains his sentence is "demonstrably unfit in the circumstances.”

He requested a judge and jury trial if granted a new hearing.