London, Ontario. The City Council’s Creed does not allow an exception to the COVID-19 Vaccine Policy: Attorney – London

A city council in London, Ontario has launched a new creed aiming to affirm “constitutional freedom from vaccine mandates,” but a local lawyer and human rights expert says there is no need for an exception to the COVID-19 Vaccine Policy will qualify and offend the basis of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

District 1 Coun. Michael van Holst’s creed entitled Order of Freedom arrives as Londoners await a final decision on evidence of COVID-19 vaccination policy for city councilors.

The policy was first unveiled at a meeting of the corporate services committee last month and is expected to be approved at the city council meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

A draft version of the yet-to-be-approved guideline requires all city council members to provide evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19 or “provide written confirmation of a medical reason or a reason from the Ontario Human Rights Code.” s) that you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “

The van Holst Creed website lists 12 beliefs associated with the Order of Freedom, including “freedom to honor freedom as a divine virtue that exists on a higher plane than human opinion,” “to honor the body as a divine gift.” respect and keep the rights of each individual ”. Organs free from impurities ”and“ resist the temptation to gain power over others ”.

It adds that “Vaccine mandates, passports and proof of status presented in response to COVID-19 are inconsistent with those who hold our beliefs”.

The website also notes that many people “lose their jobs due to vaccination policies unless they can claim an exception based on belief” and urges others to join.

“The beliefs that we as freedom lovers already share do not become a creed until they are ‘associated with an organization or community that shares the belief system’. That is the purpose of this order, ”added the website.

van Holst told Global News that his credo intends to prevent what he sees as “government excess”.

“For me personally, these guidelines are very worrying because they ask people to give up their right to confidentiality of medical information, and it’s also a compulsion to give their consent if they choose medical treatment,” says van Holst .

Whether his creed will be accepted as a valid reason for the Ontario human rights code in the context of a possible vaccination certificate, says van Holst, he is “not really concerned”.

“I have a different way of accommodating myself, it’s easy to work from home, which is what I’ve done last year,” said van Holst.

However, the draft directive only states that it “includes all members of the Council of the Corporation of the City of London and the Mayor” and does not distinguish between councilors who work from home and councilors who work in the City Hall or elsewhere.

Susan Toth is a partner in the local law firm Polishuk Camman and Steele, which specializes in human rights and labor law, among other things.

When asked if the Order of Freedom could issue a valid Ontario human rights code to be exempted from a COVID-19 vaccine policy like the one that went on council on Tuesday, Toth says “absolutely not”.

Of the twelve beliefs in the Creed, “not one actually contradicts a vaccination mandate,” she said.

“There is a misunderstanding of what freedom is and the right to get vaccinated is not the same as the right to be free from consequences if you choose not to obey public health measures.”

The timing of the Creed’s introduction and van Holst’s vocal opposition to COVID-19 vaccine policy also raises questions about the city council’s motives, which could weaken the Creed’s chance of granting a valid exception, Toth said.

The attorney added that the creed is aimed at abusing the Ontario human rights code, which is designed to “protect people who have faced significant discrimination, often systemic discrimination.”

“We live in London, where we know that Islamophobia actually resulted in the death of people receiving a vaccine, and that’s frankly insulting,” Toth said.

“It’s offensive to people who fought so hard for access to religious freedom, who fight against Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, and I honestly find it just unacceptable.”

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When asked about Van Holst’s creed during a media briefing on COVID-19 in London and Middlesex Counties on Monday, Mayor Ed Holder cited a recent statement from the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on its position on vaccine requirements.

The OHRC said a person who chooses not to be vaccinated “on the basis of personal preference” is not entitled to housing under the human rights code.

“For me this is as clear as it gets and probably as much as really needs to be said,” said Holder.

“Here’s what I know: This dynamic is really and clearly on the side of truth and science, and this is where I choose to put my focus and energy on this issue.”

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