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Calgary pastor and brother appealing sanctions for violating COVID-19 rules

Click to play video: 'COVID-19: Legal case against defiant Alberta pastor a difficult policy issue: Calgary law professor'
COVID-19: Legal case against defiant Alberta pastor a difficult policy issue: Calgary law professor
WATCH (March 17): Lorian Hardcastle, a COVID-19 expert and assistant professor of law at the University of Calgary, joins Global's Joel Senick to discuss what implications could arise if an Edmonton-area pastor has some of his charges dropped for defying Alberta’s COVID-19 rules – Mar 17, 2021

A Calgary pastor and his brother are appealing sanctions they received for violating Alberta’s COVID-19 rules.

Justice Adam Germain issued the sanctions for civil contempt last month for Pastor Artur Pawlowski and his brother Dawid Pawlowski, which included stiff fines, periods of probation and paying Alberta Health Services costs.

The two men, as part of their probation, were also ordered to include in any public speeches that criticize COVID-19 measures a reference to the fact their views are contradicted by the majority of scientific opinion.

Click to play video: 'Calgary pastor Artur Pawlowski arrested again'
Calgary pastor Artur Pawlowski arrested again

In their appeal, the two argue that the punishments are unreasonable, excessive and violate their Charter rights by forcing them to give opinions which are not their own.

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They have already filed appeals of their convictions for civil contempt.

Artur Pawlowski was fined $23,000 and Dawid Pawlowski $10,000 plus an additional $20,000 in costs to Alberta Health Services for holding church services that flouted rules on masking and physical distancing.

Click to play video: 'Calgary pastor and mayoral candidate released after alleged COVID-19 violations'
Calgary pastor and mayoral candidate released after alleged COVID-19 violations

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