A court has ordered Calgary-based pastor Artur Pawlowski, his brother and a business owner to cite what “medical experts” say about COVID alongside their own opinions.
The three have gotten in trouble with the law on multiple occasions for violating pandemic public health orders and opposing masks and vaccine mandates.
Pawlowski, his brother Dawid, and Whistle Stop Cafe owner Christopher Scott were sentenced by Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Adam Germain on Wednesday after being found in contempt of court for inciting people to break public health orders.
“They are on the wrong side of science. They are also on the wrong side of common sense,” said Germain in his judgement.
“When Pastor Pawlowski addressed the court (during his contempt sanction proceeding) I almost view his comments to be as a taunt to imprison him. He knows that for him, 21 days in jail will be a slap on the wrist that will make him a martyr.”
Artur was ordered to pay a $24,000 fine and serve 18 months probation while his brother faces a $10,000 fine and conditions for 12 months. Meanwhile, Scott was fined $20,000 and faced 18-months of probation.
All three must obey Alberta Health Service orders during the probation period and provide 120 hours of community service.
Additionally, all three of the men must balance their own views with the government’s public health narrative when speaking about COVID.
“I am aware that the views I am expressing to you may not be held by medical experts … the majority of medical experts favour social distancing … vaccine programs,” was a phrasing suggested by Justice Germain.
Prior to the judgement, Pawloski travelled to the US where he preached to sympathetic followers in alleged violation of a prior court order.
