Lawyers representing the owner of Calgary’s Without Papers Pizza say the city has dropped its bylaw violation cases against the business. The restaurant was accused of violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The Epoch Times reached out to the City of Calgary but did not immediately hear back.
As a result of the pizzeria’s business license being suspended, it went out of business, TDF said.
Mr. Johnson’s lawyer told The Epoch Times it was a bittersweet result.
“While Mr. Johnson and Without Papers Pizza have been vindicated in court with their charges being dismissed, the campaign and prosecution to shut down the restaurant has resulted in torn families, bankruptcy, loss of homes, loss of an iconic Calgary business, a loss of community, and torn friendships,” Martin Rejman said in an email statement.
He also said the vaccine passport program was “poorly thought out” and “misguided.”
“There was no known industry consultation prior to bringing in the program, or any accommodation for businesses when the program was mandated onto various businesses.”
Mr. Rejman also noted that the government lost money trying to enforce the program.
“Ultimately, various levels of government lost as considerable tax revenue was forfeited in the pursuit of enforcement of an unlawful program, and the closure of a business where no COVID-19 transmission occurred.”
The lawyers for Mr. Johnson argued in the constitutional challenge that the bylaws he was charged with violating were found to be invalid in a previous court case.
