TORONTO: The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is in court today for the hearing on the merits of the federal quarantine hotel policy.
“We are looking forward to today’s hearing and the ultimate judgment on the merits of the federal quarantine hotel policy, which we view as completely irrational, unjustified and indefensible,” said CCF Litigation Director, Christine Van Geyn. “The government’s own panel of experts has recommended ending the policy. Instead, the government has been fiddling around the edges.”
The federal government has announced that the policy is being phased out , with exemptions beginning in early July for vaccinated travelers.
“The policy needs to be ended completely, full stop. And we want a decision from the court about travelers who have already had their rights violated by these quarantine hotels, including our individual applicants who needed to travel for compassionate reasons,” continued Van Geyn.
Media and members of the public interested in observing the hearing can view the proceedings on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/0xpXznL2fTE
On May 27, the Government of Canada introduced the option for residents of Canada returning from compassionate travel to apply for a quarantine hotel exemption. The CCF had brought a constitutional challenge of the quarantine hotel policy on the grounds that the policy failed to create exemptions for compassionate travelers.
“We brought this challenge along with individuals with urgent compassionate travel needs, who were having their constitutionally protected right to enter their own country impaired by the cruel and unjust government quarantine hotel policy,” said CCF Litigation Director, Christine Van Geyn.
The CCF is represented by lawyer Jonathan Roth of Roth Advocacy Professional Corporation.
The original version of this release can be found here.
