Even after a night in jail, Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) president John Carpay said he won’t stop defending Canadians’ rights and liberties.

“If these charges are designed to intimidate me, I will not be intimidated,” Carpay told The Counter Signal.

On December 30, Carpay was charged with obstruction of justice. Seventeen months earlier, Carpay hired a private investigator to monitor public officials to see if they were breaching Covid-19 restrictions they implemented.

Carpay said he had been cooperating with the Law Society of Manitoba’s investigation into his actions.

“These charges are unexpected, unexplained and confusing, coming without any warning more than 17 months after the events in question,” Carpay said.

“At no point in the past 17 months have I been contacted by Winnipeg Police or by any other law enforcement authorities.”

Carpay was in jail for 23 hours. He had no cot or mattress, and bright lights were on throughout his imprisonment. 

“I had been reassured repeatedly by Calgary Police that I would be in jail for only a few hours, but this did not come to pass.” 

“Although my 23 hours in jail were unpleasant, I recognize that many people — including Canadians like Tamara Lich, Pastor Timothy Stephens, Pastor James Coates and Pastor Art Pawlowski – have suffered far worse.”

Carpay said he’s in the process of retaining defence counsel in Manitoba. Regardless of the outcome of the charges, he said he won’t leave his position as JCCF president. 

“My life’s work has been to see justice done in the courts. I would never attempt to obstruct the administration of justice or intimidate a judge.” 

“I will not be dissuaded from continuing with my work with the Justice Centre in defending the Charter rights and freedoms of all Canadians.”

Carpay has another hearing in February unless a settlement is reached first.