In his federal court challenge of the vaccine mandate for air travel, People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier argues that he requires air travel to reach voters..The federal government barred unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 from boarding commercial aircrafts as of Nov. 30, 2021, citing the Omicron variant. .In his affidavit, Bernier, who is not vaccinated, said he is the full-time leader of a “leading federal party,” which came fifth in the 2021 federal election with 4.9% cent of the vote. .“The orders make me the only leader of a major federal party who is prevented from travelling by air to carry out his political mission, which ironically includes challenging the Liberal government’s COVID measures,” Bernier said..The affidavit states that Bernier flew over 79,000 km in Canada for work purposes in 2021, and says it’s not feasible for the party to charter planes at a cost of several thousand dollars per trip..And because the PPC receives “very little attention” from the mainstream media, Bernier said he must engage with voters through in-person activities, like campaign rallies and conferences..“In my experience, there is no substitute for a visit in a remote or rural region to get a good feel of regional issues and the pulse of the local population, businesses and organizations,” the affidavit reads..The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) filed a legal application last week on Bernier’s behalf..If Bernier’s federal court challenge is successful, the mandates barring unvaccinated travellers from commercial aircrafts will be struck down for those wanting to travel for democratic purposes, but likely more broadly, said Samuel Bachand, Bernier’s lawyer and JCCF’s primary external counsel in Québec.“That’s the appropriate outcome,” Bachand told the Western Standard. “That’s the outcome we wish to obtain.”.The legal challenge is fighting infringements on democratic mobility rights, but also free speech rights in terms of broader democratic participation, Bachand said. Freedom of conscience is also a consideration, he said. .“We are alleging discrimination against those who chose not to be vaccinated,” Bachand said. “They are treated as second class citizens.” .Earlier this month, Ottawa gave an exemption to allow temporary foreign workers to board commercial aircrafts to travel home. Unvaccinated Canadians can’t board international or domestic flights..The PPC leader said he already contracted COVID-19 and prefers natural immunity, adding that he’s legitimately concerned about the possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, which can be “severe, even fatal.”.“I chose not to be inoculated against COVID-19 because of the risks associated with this experimental biologic drug, with short- and long-term effects that are not yet known,” the affidavit reads..It also states that it’s “well-known and of judicial notice” that none of the Health Canada-approved vaccines prevent infection or transmission of COVID-19..Brian Peckford, the last surviving premier involved in the drafting of the Canadian constitution, is also suing the federal government over the “unconstitutional” vaccine mandates for air travel..The JCCF filed this lawsuit in the Federal Court in January..“The court action is on behalf of several Canadians from across Canada whose Charter rights and freedoms have been infringed,” the Justice Centre said in a release. .Rachel Emmanuel is an Ottawa Parliamentary reporter for the Western Standard
