Lawyers barred from practising in Manitoba after judge followed during COVID-19 trial
WINNIPEG -
The Law Society of Manitoba has barred two Alberta lawyers from practising in the province and ordered them to pay $5,000 after receiving complaints they hired a private investigator to surveil a judge who was hearing a case involving COVID-19 public health orders.
John Carpay, president of the Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, and Randal Jay Cameron faced charges from the independent regulator, including undermining public respect for the administration of justice and breach of integrity.
Ayli Klein, the law society's counsel, told a panel at a disciplinary hearing Monday that banning Carpay and Cameron from practising law in the province was the most serious penalty available.
"Their misconduct is truly shocking," she said.
"It's crucial the panel sends an unequivocal message what they did was unprofessional."
Both Carpay and Cameron agreed to the law society's recommendations. Carpay pleaded guilty to breach of integrity while Cameron admitted to professional misconduct.
Carpay told the panel he regretted his actions.
"I fully acknowledge that my instructing surveillance of Chief Justice (Glenn) Joyal was in violation of my professional obligations as a lawyer to the court and to society," said Carpay.
Lawyers for the two men say they never meant to interfere with a case before the courts. Cameron was not present during the hearing on Monday.
Both men represented several churches that attempted in 2021 to overturn Manitoba public health orders that prevented in-person religious services during the height of the pandemic.
Carpay said in a news release distributed by the Justice Centre that he was informed of criminal charges against him in December 2022 and continues to deny any criminal wrongdoing.
Carpay's lawyer told the panel the Law Society of Alberta would make a decision to pursue their own hearing after the Manitoba one was completed.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 21, 2023.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 21. 2023.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Latest info: FBI says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism'
The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism' when he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's revellers early Wednesday, killing 14 people.
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
Man who died in Tesla Cybertruck explosion was active-duty U.S. Army soldier, officials say
The person who authorities believe died in the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck packed with firework mortars and camp fuel canisters outside U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel was an active-duty U.S. Army soldier, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
FORECAST
FORECAST Weather warnings issued in 6 provinces and territories
Wintry weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind chill values around -55, prompted warnings in six provinces and territories early Thursday morning.
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
5 things we know and still don't know about COVID, 5 years after it appeared
The virus is still with us, though humanity has built up immunity through vaccinations and infections. It's less deadly than it was in the pandemic's early days and it no longer tops the list of leading causes of death. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
Who are Canada's top-earning CEOs and how much do they make?
Canada's 100 highest-paid CEOs earned $13.2 million on average in 2023 from salaries, bonuses and other compensation, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
More Popsicles, please: Your tonsils can grow back
Tonsil regrowth is rare. Here's one woman's experience when she had to get her tonsils removed – again.
Regina
-
Regina police charge 2 following armed robbery investigation
Regina police have charged two people following an unsuccessful robbery attempt outside a business on News Year's Day.
-
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
-
No injuries in early morning Regina house fire
No one was hurt in a house fire in Regina early Thursday morning.
Saskatoon
-
Man seriously injured following a shooting in Saskatoon
Police say a 20-year-old Saskatoon man is recovering in hospital after being shot while at a residence on the 100 block of Avenue V South.
-
Saskatoon mayor optimistic about what's to come, despite challenges
As Saskatoon welcomes 2025, Mayor Cynthia Block begins the year with optimism, reflecting on 2024's accomplishments.
-
Sask. women between 47 and 49 now eligible for breast cancer screening
More Saskatchewan women are now able to access breast cancer screening as the province takes a phased approach to lower age eligibility.
Edmonton
-
'Radon exists everywhere': How to detect and keep the harmful gas out of your home
An invisible, odourless and harmful gas could be making its way into your home.
-
'We had so many hopes': Syrian refugee family reflects on nearly a decade in Canada
When asked about her life in Syria a decade ago, Amani Shamseddin struggles to find the words.
-
New year brings new Alberta taxes, electricity 'rate of last resort'
Alberta’s electricity “rate of last resort” starts Wednesday, replacing the province’s previous default rate for consumers who don't have a contract.
Calgary
-
'It's just unbelievable': Calgary-based band performs in front of thousands in iconic Rose Parade
A Calgary-based band travelled to Pasadena, Calif., to play in the 136th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Calgary to see colder temperatures until next week
A stagnant weather pattern will support the flow of Arctic air toward the U.S. Midwest over the next few days.
-
Canadian government watering down promise to fully scrutinize firearms before sale, group says
A leading gun-control group is accusing the Liberal government of watering down a promise to ensure firearms are properly scrutinized before entering the Canadian market.
Toronto
-
'Absolutely crazy' snow squalls trigger whiteout conditions, crashes in parts of southern Ontario: OPP
Snow squall warnings are in effect for parts of southern Ontario with up to 60 centimetres of snow expected in some areas, and provincial police say they’re already responding to multiple crashes and rollovers across the region.
-
Toronto saw a rash of brazen crime that shocked and unnerved residents last year. Is the city still safe?
Community leader Walied Khogali Ali was devastated when gunfire broke out in his Regent Park neighbourhood earlier this year, killing a father and his adult son.
-
Ontario approves 9 facilities to convert from supervised consumption sites to treatment hubs
The province has released new details of its plan to convert some of Ontario’s supervised consumption sites to Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs amid backlash from community advocates and medical professionals who say the closures will lead to more deaths.
Ottawa
-
ByWard Market restaurant closes after more than 35 years
Blue Cactus has closed its doors in Ottawa's ByWard Market after serving customers for more than 35 years. A sign on the restaurant's door at 2 ByWard Market Square says Blue Cactus will be "closing its doors effective immediately."
-
Chick-fil-A to open second Ottawa restaurant on Jan. 9
Chick-fil-A is set to open in the Rideau Centre next week, the second location in Ottawa.
-
Driver stopped going 164 km/h on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa on New Year's Eve
An Ottawa driver kicked off the new year without a vehicle after being stopped for speeding 64 kilometres an hour over the speed limit on Highway 417 in Ottawa.
Montreal
-
From industrial highway to developer's paradise, Montreal's Lachine Canal turns 200
It used to be that on New Year’s Eve, people living along Montreal’s Lachine Canal would throw open their doors to hear the nearby factories blow their horns when the clocks struck midnight.
-
Unloading of grounded ship in the St. Lawrence postponed to Saturday
The unloading of the cargo of corn from the Cypriot ship that ran aground on Christmas Eve in the St. Lawrence River in the Verchères area has been postponed.
-
FORECAST
FORECAST Weather warnings issued in 6 provinces and territories
Wintry weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind chill values around -55, prompted warnings in six provinces and territories early Thursday morning.
Atlantic
-
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
-
Man who barricaded himself inside Porters Lake home found dead: N.S. RCMP
A man who barricaded himself inside a home in the Porters Lake, N.S., area Thursday morning has died.
-
Flurries, snow squalls in the Maritimes Thursday night into Friday
As a low-pressure system slowly moves north of the Maritimes, a gusty, colder westerly wind will continue to drive flurries and snow squalls in the region.
Vancouver
-
Investigators probe strip mall fire in Surrey, B.C.
Police are investigating after an overnight fire damaged multiple businesses at a strip mall in Surrey, B.C.
-
Pedestrian hospitalized following collision with tour bus in Surrey, B.C.
A man is in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a tour bus in Surrey, B.C.
-
'Cash poor' businesswoman is worth at least $20M, can pay off mortgage debt, B.C. court rules
A Vancouver businesswoman who claimed to be too "cash poor" to pay off a roughly $3 million mortgage debt – despite having claimed a net worth in excess of $94 million as recently as 2018 – has been ordered to pay up.
Vancouver Island
-
'Cash poor' businesswoman is worth at least $20M, can pay off mortgage debt, B.C. court rules
A Vancouver businesswoman who claimed to be too "cash poor" to pay off a roughly $3 million mortgage debt – despite having claimed a net worth in excess of $94 million as recently as 2018 – has been ordered to pay up.
-
Investigators probe strip mall fire in Surrey, B.C.
Police are investigating after an overnight fire damaged multiple businesses at a strip mall in Surrey, B.C.
-
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu no longer in ICU
The B.C. teenager who became infected with Canada's first human case of H5N1 avian influenza was transferred out of intensive care and taken off supplemental oxygen last month.
Kelowna
-
Kamloops couple delivers B.C.'s first baby of 2025
B.C.'s first baby of 2025 was born just after midnight at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
-
B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation
More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025.
-
B.C. man charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after CBSA investigation
A resident of B.C.'s Interior has been charged with weapon and drug trafficking offences after an investigation launched by border agents at Vancouver International Airport earlier this year.
N.L.
-
Labradorians pay thousands to fly to Newfoundland. Could a Quebec energy deal help?
An airport executive in Labrador hopes a new energy deal with Quebec could help attract a competing airline company to the northern region, where flights costs have climbed at more than three times the national rate.
-
Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry
A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season.
-
Whooping cough in Canada: Outbreaks or case increases reported in these provinces
Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade.
Northern Ontario
-
Body of one drowning victim recovered in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police's underwater search and recovery unit has found the remains of one of two victims of Sunday's drowning in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Charges after transport driver in northern Ont. fixed window with duct tape
A transport truck driver has been charged after a motorist alerted police about a commercial motor vehicle that had duct tape covering the driver's side window.
-
Here's how immigration rules are changing in 2025
Canada's federal government is changing course on immigration with a wave of tighter caps on newcomers and new rules for permanent and non-permanent residents.
Barrie
-
Criminal investigation into individual's death in Alliston underway
Police are asking for the public's help during this investigation.
-
Canada Post pulls workers off routes in Barrie and surrounding areas
Canada Post has issued a red alert, pulling postal workers due to inclement weather.
-
Snow Squall warning issued with up to 60cms of snowfall possible
Environment Canada has issued a Snow Squall warning for Barrie and surrounding townships.
Kitchener
-
Perth County resident loses $320K in computer scam involving gold bars
A Perth County resident has lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam after receiving a notification there was a security breach of their personal information.
-
UPDATE
UPDATE Heavy snow and snow squall warnings for parts of southwestern Ontario
After a weekend of mild and wet weather, winter is making its return to southwestern Ontario, with Environment Canada issuing heavy snow and snow squall warnings for Waterloo Region, Stratford, Wellington County and Brant County.
-
Ontario approves 9 facilities to convert from supervised consumption sites to treatment hubs
The province has released new details of its plan to convert some of Ontario’s supervised consumption sites to Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs amid backlash from community advocates and medical professionals who say the closures will lead to more deaths.
London
-
Snow squall warning in effect for parts of Midwestern Ontario
Parts of Midwestern Ontario are under a snow squall warning, according to Environment Canada. Other areas are under a weather advisory.
-
Attempted break-and-enter leads to charges
The Sarnia Police Service has made an arrest following a break-and-enter incident in Sarnia.
-
Perth County resident loses $320K in computer scam involving gold bars
A Perth County resident has lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam after receiving a notification there was a security breach of their personal information.
