Pair alleged to have returned from abroad, attended anti-lockdown rally at Yonge-Dundas Square
Toronto police have laid charges under the federal Quarantine Act against two individuals who are alleged to have returned from abroad and refused to comply with a 14-day quarantine.
Anti-lockdown activist Christopher Saccoccia, who goes by the name Chris Sky online and in media interviews, along with his wife, Jennifer Saccoccia, were served on Monday with a notice to appear in court. The childless Saccoccias head a group called Mothers Against Distancing.
Police allege that Saccoccia, 37, and Jennifer Saccoccia, 34, re-entered Canada at Pearson International Airport on Sept. 20.
Christopher Saccoccia was allegedly spotted at Yonge-Dundas square just six days later and was issued a provincial offence notice for failing to comply with the act.
Both Saccoccias were reported by police to have attended an Oct. 3 anti-lockdown rally at Yonge-Dundas Square. Police estimates put the rally attendance at around 500.
The Toronto Police Service’s professional standards unit previously launched an investigation in August when an Instagram account posted a now-deleted photo of two officers posing with Christopher Saccoccia, none of whom were wearing masks. The photo was posted to Instagram by TPSNeighbourhoodWatch, an account dedicated to Toronto police’s 51 division, which is based out of 51 Parliament St. The Saccoccias were charged by the neighbouring 52 division.
Toronto recently hit a record number of reported COVID-19 cases. Nearly two out of three of today’s 548 provincial cases have originated in the GTA.
Christopher and Jennifer Saccoccia are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 12. The hearing will be held virtually.
