The Amish had an extremely low rate of COVID infections, as well as for most diseases that infect modern societies. Regardless, the Canadian government is continuing to harass this community for failing to abide by COVID-era regulations. In particular, the Canadian government is demanding that the Amish community pay for non-compliance with the federal ArriveCAN app mandate.
The Amish do not have modern electricity, let alone cell phones. The government still insisted that the Amish download the ArriveCAN app during COVID, which was required to cross the border. Individual fines for non-compliance reached $20,000, with more than 30 Amish communities in Ontario racking up $300,000 in fines because their faith does not permit the use of electronic devices. They live in isolation from modern society and pose no risk, but the government was keen to attack anyone who avoided its authority. These regulations were never about the virus, but a power grab move for control. The Canadian government placed liens on Amish farmlands, destroyed their credit scores, and is threatening to destroy their livelihood because they did not download an app when the government told them to do so.
Leave it to top Canadian politicians to mount their soapboxes to speak of tolerance for other cultures, migrants, and religions. Now, Amish families are speaking out about how they cannot secure loans for farming equipment, removing their ability to sustain their communities all due to COVID mandates.
Founded in 2021, the Democracy Fund (TDF) has been assisting members of the Amish community in their legal battle with the government. “The Democracy Fund is committed to defending the rights of the Amish community,” said Mark Joseph, TDF Litigation Director. “By helping lift these liens, we are ensuring that this vulnerable community can continue to thrive and sustain their traditional way of life.”
TDF recently won two major lawsuits on behalf of families. Joseph said the litigation “underscores the unique vulnerabilities of the Amish community to modern legal systems.” TDF went as far as offering free legal services to those impacted by Trudeau’s authoritarian COVID regulations. “TDF remains committed to their defence, exploring further reports of liens and fines affecting other Amish families across the province. As a religious minority with limited access to modern legal resources, the Amish face steep hurdles—such as restricted property transactions or farm succession—when liens are imposed.”
Justin Trudeau called vaccine opponents “misogynistic and racist.” Yet, he went to extreme lengths to hurt marginalized communities who did not have enough of a voter base for exploitation. The public at large has erased the pain of COVID from its memory but countless people and communities are still facing the repercussions of COVID-era policies.
