Court battle begins over Ontario law banning hidden-camera farm investigations
The lawsuit brought against the province of Ontario over its so-called ‘ag-gag’ law by activist organization Animal Justice goes to trial on Monday Oct. 30.
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The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 was developed to deter activist disruptions of farm and food processors, and closed the gap in previous laws to protect the agriculture sector against trespassing.
Animal Justice, along with journalist Jessica Scott-Reid and animal advocate Louise Jorgensen of Toronto Cow Save filed the lawsuit against the province in early 2021, stating the act infringes upon sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that address freedom of expression, freedom of the press and right to peaceful assembly.
Their application further alleges the issues regarding the trespass regulations are “compounded by deliberately harsh and excessive arrest and penalty provisions, which are themselves unconstitutional.”
Animal Justice said in a media advisory and on its website it plans on holding a rally outside the courthouse in Toronto in support of the legal challenge.
Source: Farmtario.com