Anti-mandate rally organizer receives $500 fine

At the time of the rally on April 17, 2021, 14 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, provincial health rules dictated that public gatherings be limited to 10 people or less.

The number of people who attended the rally was estimated in the neighbourhood of over 100. The rally was closely observed by both the health inspector and two local police officers.

While acknowledging the rally was peaceful with no physical or verbal aggression, Crown prosecutor Alexandria Studer explained Cochrane still broke the law.

“She showed blatant disregard for the safety of the community,” she said.

When asked by provincial court Judge Thomas Healey what evidence the Crown had to support its claim Cochrane’s actions put people at risk, Studer replied there was no actual data as participants in the rally had not assisted with contact tracing.

“I would rely on expert testimony to say that being in close proximity for that period of time, without masking, is an exceptional risk to anyone in those close proximities and it would be highly unlikely a virus would not be transmitted for that sheer number of people,” she explained.

Continuing with her submissions, Studer noted there were a number of vulnerable children present at the rally, who at the time were not able to receive the vaccine, and had no option to attend the event.

“Thus were only being protected by the health orders in place,” she said.

Further explaining why a $5,000 fine was appropriate, Studer cited similar rally type cases where fines have ranged between $2,100 and $3,500 for people with a first offence and who were just attending.

Studer also noted a case in her belief that was comparable, in which one of the speakers who was at the Prince Albert rally, also organized a rally at Saskatoon’s Midtown Plaza. For the rally in Saskatoon he receive a fine of $5,600 plus $1,400 in victim surcharge.

A speaker addresses the crowd at the Prince Albert rally. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

Defence lawyer Luke Coupal argued the two cases were very different, explaining the rally at the Saskatoon mall involved participants going from store to store and coughing in the direction of staff.

“This is in no way comparable,” he said.

Coupal also noted Cochrane from the onset was very cooperative and respectful to police, city hall and the judicial system.

“My client had every right to express her concerns with absence of government information; the fact they were not getting answers to the questions they were posing,” he said.

With respect to the vulnerability of the children, Coupal explained there has been only one other case where children attending were considered an aggravating factor, and that was a children’s event in Saskatoon.

“Ultimately it’s the parents who are responsible and accountable in the presence of children, not Miss Cochrane,” Coupal said.

Based on these arguments, Coupal suggested a fine of $2,800 or less was more appropriate.

After taking a one hour adjournment to review evidence and submissions, Judge Healey explained the court is required to sentence her as an individual. Healey also reiterated Cochrane’s good behavior and cooperation throughout the court process.

“And I do not expect Miss Cochrane to be before the court in the future in a similar manner,” he said.

Following Healey’s sentencing decision, Cochrane’s lawyer confirmed intentions to appeal, citing similar cases were also being appealed.

To allow time for the appeals process to take its course, Cochrane was given until June 30, 2024, to pay the $500 fine, plus the $200 victim surcharge.

According to information provided to paNOW by the Ministry of Justice, as of March 31, 2023, records show 887 charges under The Public Health Act for violations relating to public health orders.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

@nigelmaxwell888 A large anti-mandate rally in Prince Albert has resulted in a $500 fine for the organizer. #pandemic #health #saskatchewan #covid19 #court #lockdown ♬ original sound – Nigel Maxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Anti-mandate rally organizer receives $500 fine

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