Two people arrested on suspicion of plotting to overthrow President Nova Scotia’s doctor have been released on bail. At a hearing in NS Dartmouth on Friday, Judge Alanna Murphy ruled that Jeremy MacKenzie, 36, and Morgan May Guptill, 31, would each be released on $ 10,000 bail and subject to certain conditions. MacKenzie and Guptill agreed to the terms of the order, according to which the two are not going to contact the chief physician Dr. Robert Strang or his family, either directly or indirectly, unless through a lawyer. They also agreed not to enter within 50 meters of Strang or his wife’s home or workplace, nor to possess firearms and other prohibited weapons. The order also prevents the two from posting on social media about Strang and his family and engaging or advising anyone to protest against health officials, education professionals or elected officials. It also prohibits the two from walking 25 meters from the homes of any health care worker, education professional or elected official. The couple has been charged with criminal harassment, intimidation by a healthcare professional, disorderly conduct and harassment over the phone following protests outside Strang’s home on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Their next court appearance is scheduled for the end of April. On Thursday, the Nova Scotia Legislature quickly passed new legislation protecting senior health officials from harassment and intimidation directly outside their homes. Justice Secretary Brad Jones said the changes to the law were in response to the protests, adding that the law extends the existing 50-meter safe zone that prohibits protests around healthcare facilities from including the homes of health workers. This Canadian Press Report was first published on March 25, 2022. This story was created with the financial support of Meta and the Canadian Press News Fellowship.
