Judge Dismisses Skelly's COVID Lockdown Lawsuit

0:00It's March 20th in Canada. Let's get into the news. A Toronto judge has dismissed a lawsuit from barbecue restaurant owner Adam Skelly, who claimed the government violated his rights by closing his. Business during the early COVID lockdowns. Justice Janet Leiber ruled that city and provincial officials acted properly to protect public health amid high infection rates. Back in November 2020, hospitals faced imminent overload with hundreds of daily cases in Toronto, and over a thousand deaths already. Recorded, no vaccines were available yet, so premiered Doug Ford in polls strict rules, including bands on all restaurant dining, even outdoors. Skelly openly defied the orders at his Addamson barbecue, leading to a three-day standoff with police and clashes involving anti-lockdown supporters. His restaurant was shut down by force, and he faced charges for mischief and obstructing officers, plus a city lawsuit for $187,000 in policing costs.

1:01A year later, Skelly permanently closed his two Toronto spots, citing ongoing government overreach and relocated to Alberta. Neither he nor his lawyer has commented on the recent ruling. The judge emphasized that public safety benefits far outweighed the business harm, noting Skelly had legal protest options like outdoor gatherings, which weren't restricted then. Allowing such defiance, she said, would undermine essential health rules across society.