Police on Guard for Thee
Artur Pawlowski is the well-known Calgary pastor who has championed religious freedoms throughout the overreaching enforcement efforts of the Covid pandemic, and continues to fight numerous legal battles, refusing to back down from the inalienable rights promised to all Canadians.
In one such case we have seen a significant development for transparency and accountability in Canadian policing.
This lawsuit, brought by Pastor Pawlowski and his brother Dawid, name the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Calgary Police Service, Alberta Health Services, the City of Calgary, former police chief Mark Neufeld, correctional authorities, and Canada Post, claiming these agencies abused their authority through a pattern of intimidation tied to pandemic-related church services and protests.
The Alberta court has ordered the RCMP to disclose the identity of its “disclosing officer”. This ruling, issued following a May 13 appearance before the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, represents a partial victory as they seek redress for what they allege were targeted harassments, arrests, and coordinated enforcement actions during the Covid pandemic.
Pastor Pawlowski has long been a vocal advocate for religious freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly; all core protections enshrined in sections 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The May hearing focused on pre-trial disclosure. While the judge deferred a decision on the CBSA name disclosure pending a summary dismissal application under the Customs Act’s limitation period, the court found no such barrier for the RCMP. They were ordered to provide the name of their disclosing officer within 30 days. This step is crucial, as it could open the door to identifying officials allegedly involved in investigations and enforcement actions that Pawlowski’s legal team argues infringed on fundamental Charter rights.
His lawsuit seeks not only personal accountability but also to affirm that no Canadian should face coordinated state pressure for exercising religious beliefs or participating in peaceful protests.
Earlier this month Pastor Pawlowski shared an update from his lawyers, stating that the team is “making progress and moving forward” in the lawsuit.
The 30-day RCMP deadline has passed, and the case remains active, with further proceedings expected on both the RCMP and CBSA fronts.
While no major updates have been released yet, the disclosure order itself underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring government transparency when citizens challenge potential overreach.
This case represents an important test of Charter protections against perceived institutional bias. Successful disclosure could strengthen their ability to prove systemic targeting, further reinforcing the principle that government agencies must operate within constitutional bounds. It further serves as a reminder that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is not merely symbolic but a living document that empowers citizens to hold government and authorities to account.
For Pastor Pawlowski, and others who resisted pandemic restrictions on faith and assembly, the fight continues in the courts, defending the freedoms that define Canadian democracy.
As always, we stand in full support of Artur and his legal team.
For Pastor Pawlowski, and others who resisted pandemic restrictions on faith and assembly, the fight continues in the courts, defending the freedoms that define Canadian democracy.
As always, we stand in full support of Artur and his legal team.
For Pastor Pawlowski, and others who resisted pandemic restrictions on faith and assembly, the fight continues in the courts, defending the freedoms that define Canadian democracy.
As always, we stand in full support of Artur and his legal team.
- Police on Guard for Thee
