Wingham restaurant has 'COVID' charges overturned
A Wingham restaurant that openly defied Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine passport program, has had two of three charges against them, overturned.
Earlier this month, owner of Buck and Jo’s Stephen Hill, had charges for not checking for proof of vaccination and not providing a safety plan overturned by a Goderich judge.
In November 2021, Hill refused to ask patrons visiting his restaurant for their vaccine status, citing privacy and freedom of expression. Days later, following a heated discussion with Huron Perth Public Health inspectors on the front steps of his restaurant, Hill’s restaurant was closed by the Health Unit for indoor dining, and he was charged for not enforcing the province’s COVID regulations.
In February 2023, Hill was found guilty of not checking for proof of vaccination, not providing a safety plan, and failing to co-operate with Huron Perth Public Health enforcement officers. Hill immediately appealed the conviction, and in July 2024, had his convictions for not checking vaccination status, and not having a safety plan, overturned.
The judge said the Health Unit’s orders were “vague”, and the dates for compliance were not concrete, leaving them open to interpretation. Hill’s fines were also reduced from $5500 to $1000.
Hill had this to say in an article posted to his website, Wingham Free Press, “The court’s acquittal is a testament to the unwavering determination and courage of Buck & Jo’s. Despite being threatened with fines and legal action, they stood their ground against what they believed was an unjust and overly broad government edict.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh
Men from Edmonton and Calgary are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders.
Kamala Harris endorsement excites Democrats, but what could it mean for Canada?
U.S. President Joe Biden's endorsement of Vice-President Kamala Harris as his possible replacement stirred excitement among Democrats, but one analyst has concerns about what a potential Harris presidency would mean for Canada.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
These are the four leading vice-presidential picks for Kamala Harris' campaign
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.
Here's why cyber experts say Canada failed in its response to the CrowdStrike outage
Millions of computers went offline around the world on Friday after a faulty CrowdStrike software update impacted airlines, hospitals, banks and broadcasters. Cyber experts say Canada failed in its response compared to other countries, showing it's vulnerable and ill-prepared for future attacks.
Toronto woman charged with voyeurism after taking 'intimate' photos during massage: police
A Toronto woman who allegedly took 'intimate' photos of an individual who was getting a massage has been charged with voyeurism, police say.
U.S. drops planned regulations for dogs crossing border from rabies-free countries
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control will not require onerous forms for dog owners crossing the border from Canada this summer.
Police identify body of man who washed ashore on Nova Scotia's Sable Island
Nova Scotia RCMP has identified one of the bodies found on Sable Island earlier this month.
BREAKING Ottawa Coun. Matthew Luloff charged with impaired driving
Ottawa Coun. Matthew Luloff is facing a charge of impaired driving, according to his lawyer. The Conservative Party tells CTV News Ottawa that Luloff resigned his candidacy on July 10 'due to a personal matter.'