Another pandemic charge dropped against Windsor pastor in exchange for charitable donation
Aaron Rock is now facing just one charge for alleged offences under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).
According to a news release from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a charge was dropped by the Crown Attorney’s office on Feb. 16 for an alleged offence in Stratford, Ont.
JCCF officials say Rock was charged for allegedly speaking at a protest rally against Ontario’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Ontario had gathering limits in place.
“On that charge, Pastor Rock entered into a Diversion Agreement where he voluntarily made a modest charitable donation. The charge was then withdrawn with no admission of guilt,” the JCCF news release reads.
His lawyer Chris Fleury says Rock is pleased with having another charge dropped by the Crown in what he calls “a more reasonable and practical approach to prosecuting these types of offences.”
“There is at least some tacit acknowledgement among Crowns that the public interest in continuing to prosecute ROA breaches is minimal to non-existent,” Fleury is quoted in the news release.
Rock still faces one charge in another jurisdiction for offences under the ROA in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
On Feb. 6, two charges were withdrawn against Rock in Windsor for allegedly organizing church services when gathering limits were in place.
According to the JCCF news release, the primary piece of evidence against Rock was a video outside Harvest Bible Church in Windsor.
“Pastor Rock did not appear on the recording. The Crown agreed with defence counsel that there was insufficient evidence to prove the alleged breach of the ROA and withdrew both charges,” the news release reads.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.