RED DEER COUNTY — A judge is expected to hand down sentences Aug. 31 for Ty Northcott and his company, Northcott Rodeo Inc., after they were found guilty of violating Alberta Health Services COVID restrictions.
That guilty verdict was rendered July 24 by Justice Jim Hunter in Red Deer.
Hunter found that Northcott and his company Northcott Rodeo Inc. had violated Alberta’s Public Health Act by holding a rodeo rally on property he and his wife have south of Bowden on May 1-2, 2021.
The event was billed as the No More Lockdowns Rodeo Rally.
Court heard that as many as 1,300 people attended that event. At that time, COVID restrictions did not allow gatherings of more than 10 people.
Sentencing was postponed to Aug. 31 because a constitutional challenge regarding the pandemic orders is working its way through the courts.
It’s believed the outcome of that challenge could affect the Northcott charges.
A trial on charges against Northcott and his company for violating the COVID restrictions was held June 21 in Red Deer Court of Justice.
Hunter said he needed time to review submissions from the Crown and defence on the matter, hence the July 24 court date.
Initially, Ty’s wife, Gail Northcott was also charged in relation to the matter, but the Crown dropped those charges last October.
