At least four Mennonite church members in Ontario are facing legal charges after their congregations held large in-person gatherings in December, in violation of the pandemic lockdown Reopening Ontario Act’s restrictions.
The Windsor Star reported two men from Word of Life Mennonite community in Leamington and two men from Old Colony Mennonite Church in Wheatley were charged after holding services in late December with more than 100 unmasked people in attendance.
The advocacy group Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has stepped forward to help defend constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms of Ontario church leaders.
Courts will ultimately decide potential fines. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit indicated fines can range from $750 to $100,000.
Have a comment on this story? Write to the editors. Include your full name, city and state. Selected comments will be edited for publication in print or online.