A Legal Challenge for NL Travel Ban

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is taking the province to court alleging that the travel ban infringes on Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Section six part two of the Charter states that "Every citizen of Canada and every person who has the status of a permanent resident of Canada has the right to move to and take up residence in any province; and to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province."

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the province banned any non-residents, with a few exceptions, from entering Newfoundland and Labrador. A non-resident can apply for an exemption which may or may not be granted.

While not all provinces have such bans in place, Newfoundland is not alone with Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut with similar measures in place.