COVID-19 restrictions imposed on places of worship were often more stringent than those applied to retail and liquor stores, despite the fact that freedom of conscience and religion are fundamental freedoms, a think tank calling for an update to Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act says.
“For example, in Step One of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen in May 2021, essential retail businesses and liquor stores could operate at 25 percent capacity, while indoor religious services were limited to 10 people regardless of the size of the house of worship,” said Cardus in a press release on April 12.
On May 20, 2021, the Ontario government announced its plan to reopen the province in three phases, with step one expected to proceed in the week of June 14, 2021. The province eventually reopened three days ahead of schedule.
…