We believe in the rule of law, and that every decision made by our elected representatives needs to start and end with ultimate compliance to our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
We are asking every elected representative to take a principled stance for the people of their communities by supporting the referral of all COVID-19 measures and workplace policies to their Court of Appeal by way of a court Reference procedure to determine if they are contrary to the law and, in particular, our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Prime Minister of Canada can also use a Reference procedure to seek a determination as to the constitutional validity of similar federal COVID-19 measures directly to the Supreme Court of Canada.
We are your neighbours, we are members of your community, and we are lawyers.
We are asking our fellow lawyers and all Canadians to stand with us by signing your name in support below.
The Honourable Mr. Brian Peckford (former Premier of Newfoundland and only remaining author of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms has made a recommendation to all Provincial Premiers that they refer all COVID-19 measures to their Courts of Appeal by way of a Reference. He also recommends that the Prime Minister do the same at the federal level so there can be a judicial determination as to the constitutionality of these measures by the Supreme Court of Canada. We fully support The Peckford Recommendation.
The Peckford Recommendation
What is “The Peckford Recommendation”?
We are very fortunate to have one of the original creators of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms with whom we can consult regarding important issues that are coming to the forefront of our culture in these unprecedented times.
We were privileged to be able to meet with The Honourable Mr. Brian Peckford to discuss many issues affecting our society today, and to hear his views.
He is recommending that the Premiers each seek a Reference to the highest Court in their province, as they have the power to do, to determine whether their COVID-19 measures are constitutionally valid. He is recommending that the Prime Minister also have a determination made by the Supreme Court of Canada as to whether federal COVID-19 measures are constitutional. This is what is referred to as The Peckford Recommendation. He will be updating us as he receives responses from each Premier in Canada, and we will post this information for fellow Canadians in future.
You can help us by contacting your elected representatives to also find out where they stand, and by sharing this website with our fellow Canadians.
In the meantime, it is helpful to review the videos below regarding The Peckford Recommendation and the Reference procedure allowing the Premiers to obtain an expedited answer from their provincial Courts of Appeal to determine whether the COVID-19 measures are constitutional.
We extend a sincere thank you to fellow lawyers and concerned citizens for your signature in support, and we have also been asked to extend a sincere thank you from The Honourable Mr. Brian Peckford.
