The Supreme Court has officially ended any hope of appeal, refusing to hear from several church leaders issued fines worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for opposing provincial mandates, stating “it is not a matter of national public interest to pursue.”

This was the last hope after Ontario’s Supreme Court of Justice and Court of Appeal dismissed the case, stating “church restrictions were a ‘justifiable infringement’ on Canadians’ freedom of religion.”

Representing Pastor Hildebrandt of Ontario and others from across Canada, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) shared one argument, stating the Provincial Health Officer abused her discretion “in selectively permitting and prohibiting in-person gatherings.” While gyms and restaurants were permitted to remain open, church services were denied, despite their willingness to follow the exact same protocols of hand washing, masking, social distancing and capacity limits.

Although rules did vary across the country, with some churches restricted to 10 person gatherings while others, such as those in BC, saw a complete ban on in-person worship. Their logic? Apparently, you can laugh openly in a restaurant without concern, but if you sing in a church, you risk spreading the virus.

The leaders fighting this know that their parishioners, given the opportunity, and regardless of any protocols they may have to follow, would embrace the opportunity to seek solace in their place of worship, a common practice during times of crisis and fear.

However, the government’s priority appeared to be a mixed message of safety ‘for the greater good’ (at the cost of your personal wellbeing) and reward for good behaviour (the ability to socialize freely with a vax-pass, absent any scientific proof of risk reduction). Not once was the mental health of the individual considered. Not for those seeking comfort in their congregation, nor those in nursing homes, desperate for the touch of a loved one.

Regardless of their loss, we support the efforts of these individuals in standing for the rights and freedoms of their congregation, and in turn, the rights of all Canadians.

To read the Epoch Times article written by Doug Lett, click here