Sask. trial underway for 46 people, including Maxime Bernier, charged with breaching COVID public health order

The trial for 46 people accused of gathering illegally for a rally in Saskatoon during the COVID crisis is now underway.

Proceedingsbegan Monday at TCU Place Convention Centre, rather than the provincial courthouse, because of the number of accused. The trial is scheduled to run two weeks.

The 46 people were each given $2,800 tickets after the May 9, 2021, event at Kinsmen Park. It's alleged that they violated the Public Health Act order restrictinghow many could gather and how they needed to be spaced.

One of the accused People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier is not disputing the allegation.

"Yeah, I was there and I was proud to be there," he told reporters on a break Monday. "I'm proud of these people."

Bernier said the 150 to 200 people who met at the park that day were engaging in a peaceful political protest. The lawyers for the accused are arguing that their constitutional right to free assembly trumps the public health order.

• About 40 people protest COVID-19 measures behind Saskatoon hospital, are met by counter-demonstration

Provincial court Judge Doug Agnew is presiding. The evidence and testimony over the coming days will be heard in a voir dire, ortrial within a trial, with Agnew ultimately deciding what, if any, of the material will be applied as evidence in the trial.

The Crown intends to call 11 witnesses.

City police Sgt. Dave LarocquetestifiedMonday about how he went to the rally in plain clothes and an unmarked police cruiser. He took numerous photos of participants, laying the groundwork for the charges.