More than two years after a so-called “Freedom Rally” illegally marched through the streets of St. Thomas, the leader of the event has reportedly been found guilty of violating a provincial act.
St. Thomas police said that on November 14, 2020, over 250 gathered in the Memorial Arena parking lot and marched downtown to Veterans Memorial Garden in protest of restrictions that were put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. At the time, the maximum number of people allowed to gather for an outdoor event was capped at 25, per the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020.
“A person is guilty of an offence if the person hosts or organizes a public event or other gathering at residential premises or other prescribed premises and the number of people in attendance exceeds the number permitted,” the government document reads.
This incident went to trial on December 1, 2022 at the Ontario Provincial Offences Courthouse.
Lamont Daigle, 51, of Toronto, was convicted for failing to comply with government sanctioned protocols, police confirmed on Friday.
Daigle has been fined $20,000 plus a surcharge of $5,000.
A second local organizer still faces charges, according to police.
