Covid 19 Gathering and Event (
In the recent decision Beaudoin v. British Columbia,, 2021 BCSC 512, Chief Justice Hinkson of the B.C. Supreme Court considered whether the public-health orders of the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry violated or infringed section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (“the Charter”). Specifically, the issue was whether the gathering and events orders (G & E Orders) infringed the guaranteed Charter rights of freedom of religion and freedom of peaceful assembly. Chief Justice Hinkson determined that the G & E Orders did violate section 2 of the Charter. However, the Orders were saved by section 1 of the Charter. That is, the Orders were a reasonable limit prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
