Pastor James Coates, left, and Chris Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror, Alta., right, will see their pandemic-related charges dropped following a court ruling three weeks ago which found the province's public health act was violated when politicians made rules on restrictions instead of the chief medical officer of health.
The Ingram decision is named after one of the plaintiffs, Rebecca Ingram, a gym owner whose business was affected by ordered closures and social distancing rules in 2020 and 2021. Christopher Scott was on trial for several charges, accused of breaching Alberta's Public Health Act when his restaurant, the Whistle Stop Cafe, remained open despite an order banning in-person dining in January 2021.
Last month, Northcott and his company Northcott Rodeo were found guilty of violating the Public Health Act. Sentencing had not yet taken place and Mackenzie says he has told the defence lawyer that he will concede a Charter breach and will invite the judge to enter a judicial stay.