Christine Van Geyn

LATEST STORIES BY CHRISTINE VAN GEYN

VAN GEYN: Hearings prove Emergencies Act requirements not met

After six weeks of testimony in Ottawa at the Public Order Emergency Commission, the federal government has failed to make its case that using the extraordinary powers in the Emergencies Act was justified.

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December 9, 2022 Columnists

A woman greets a truck driver while vehicles line streets in Centretown during the "Freedom Convoy."

VAN GEYN: Do something about feds’ illegal use of Emergencies Act

The federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act was illegal and unconstitutional, and now the public has the opportunity to do something about it and participate in a historic inquiry.

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August 25, 2022 Columnists

Thousands gathered in the downtown core for a protest in connection with the Freedom Convoy that made their way from various locations across Canada and landed in Ottawa, Feb. 5, 2022.

VAN GEYN: Looks like travel restrictions were political all along

The federal government announced on Tuesday June 14 that COVID-related travel restrictions in place since Oct. 30, 2021 will be ending. Specifically, the government is ending the requirement to show proof of vaccination for domestic travel on planes and trains, for outbound international travel, and ending the vaccine mandate for transport workers and federal government employees.

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June 14, 2022 Columnists

Travellers are pictued at the departures level at Toronto Pearson International Airport on June 14, 2022.

VAN GEYN: Irrational restrictions have led to loss in public trust

We’re well past a year of pandemic restrictions, and many people across Canada are frustrated by the slow pace of reopening.

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May 31, 2021 Columnists

A cyclist pedals past outdoor diners on 104 Street in downtown Edmonton, April 17, 2021, where the street was closed to motor vehicles to allow restaurants to serve patrons outside on the street during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VAN GEYN: Quarantine hotel court case should matter to all Canadians

Legal challenges to the federal quarantine hotel policy continue to work their way through the courts, with another decision that was released on April 23. This decision was a minor procedural setback that will not have a bearing on the challenge to the policy. But the decision has attracted significant attention and is worth understanding.

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April 28, 2021 Columnists

The arrivals lineup in Terminal One at Pearson International Airport February 22, 2021.

VAN GEYN: Why quarantine hotel requirements are now heading to the courts

Compassionate exemptions are only available for people entering Canada, not leaving and then returning

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March 17, 2021 Columnists

Passengers at Toronto Pearson airport wait to head to hotels to quarantine on Monday, March 1, 2021.

VAN GEYN: Ford government plays footloose with COVID lockdown rules

Kevin Bacon had it right in the classic 1980’s film Footloose: “From the oldest of times, people danced for a number of reasons. They danced in prayer or so that their crops would be plentiful or so their hunt would be good. And they danced to stay physically fit and show their community spirit. And they danced to celebrate.”

October 29, 2020 Columnists

Women exercising in fitness studio yoga classes.

VAN GEYN: Ontario government unprepared for massive surgical backlog

The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating serious existing cracks in Ontario’s health-care system, according to new information released by the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF). And it’s going to take innovative thinking about health-care delivery to mend this broken system.

September 10, 2020 Columnists