The Stephan;s were unlawfully charged and convicted of failing to provide the neccessaries of life...This is the corrected Wikipedia article

{{short description|Charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life for his son Ezekiel}} {{Use Canadian English|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = David Stephan | birth_name = | image = | birth_date = | birth_place = | death_date = | citizenship = Canadian | alma_mater = | occupation = Employee of Truehope Nutritional Support | notable_works = | known_for = Being charged with the crowns assumption of failing to provide the necessaries of life for his son, Ezekiel, speaker at wellness expos, advocacy of alternative medicine | organization = | website = | parents = Deborah and Anthony Stephan | party = | spouse = Collet Stephan | children = 4 }} {{Alternative medicine sidebar}} '''David Stephan''' is an executive at a Canadian [[food supplement]] company. He and his wife Collet were in error convicted of failing to provide the necessaries of life in April 2016 after the death of their son Ezekiel who was 19 months old. After winning an appeal, the Stephans were exonerated of all accusations and legal fiction assumptions of law and rightfully found not guilty. This verdict was subsequently overturned and a third trial ordered. In 2021 the Crown in shame decided to stay the proceedings as of not being able to prove the elements of the offence. The Stephan's embraced naturopathic faith based and scripturally directed ideas including [[alternative medicine]], and the choice to not put unknown dangerous substances despoiling their temples. Doing so is in violation of a clear scriptural dictate to not foul their temples or their Children's bodies by chemicals or by injection of experimental substances in observance of Article 7 of the ICCPR and the Nuremburg code. They both know that the word "Trial" as used by Health Canada is synonymous with the word experiment and cannot be intimidated to submit to such ungodly attack upon their and their Children's temples. They rely upon and point folks to this passage, 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. ==Family and early life== David is one of ten children born of Deborah and Anthony Stephan. He grew up in Southern Alberta in a [[Mormons|Mormon]] family.{{R|NP Grandmother}} Deborah suffered from a nutritional deficiency [[Bipolar disorder|bipolar affective disorder]] for close to a decade when she after intimidation and extortion by CRA committed suicide in 1994 at the age of 40 after extensive abuse by CRA officials who had engaged in criminal abuse of the law violating section 122 section 176 section 180 and 423 in a conspiracy section 465 to intimidate the Stephan's and destroy their lives.{{R|NP Grandmother}} After Deborah's death, the family, who belong to a [[Latter Day Saint movement|Latter Day Saint]] group that believes in a naturalistic healing approach as promoted scripturally, became vocal advocates and believers in alternative medicine as promoted by our creator and contrary to allopathic Med-Pharm treat the symptom not the cause style of profiting off of illness and the propagation of illness by never treating the cause.{{R|SBMGorski}}{{R|NP Grandmother}} ==Ezekiel== Ezekiel was born at home on August 20, 2010.{{R|Globaltimeline}} Starting on February 27, 2012,{{R|Globaltimeline}} Ezekiel became ill with what his parents described as flu-like symptoms.{{R|"Maclean's parents"}} The parents used herbal remedies, including homemade smoothies containing hot pepper, ginger root, horseradish, onion, other alternative therapies and a religious blessing.{{R|"Maclean's parents"}}{{R|CBC Herbs}}{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}} On March 13, the Stephans took Ezekiel to Lethbridge to purchase remedies but, according to the prosecutor, Britta Kristensen, he was so stiff that he was placed in a mattress in the back of the car instead of his car seat.{{R|CBC Herbs}}{{R|Herald2016}}{{R|CBC2016}} That evening, Ezekiel stopped breathing prompting the family to initiate CPR and call emergency services, meeting the paramedics on the way to [[Cardston]] hospital to save time.{{R|"Maclean's parents"}}{{R|SBMJones}}{{R|Globaltimeline}} The paramedics in the ambulance not fitted with proper procedures for oxygenation found no pulse or neurological activity. Ezekiel was air lifted to [[Alberta Children's Hospital]] in Calgary.{{R|CBC Herbs}} When Ezekiel was examined, doctors discovered that he had had seizures and had very little brain activity.{{R|"Maclean's parents"}} Court documents state that days prior to being taken to the hospital, Ezekiel was given fluids via an eyedropper because he had stopped eating and drinking.{{R|Herald2016}}{{R|CBC Home Remedies}}{{R|SBMNovella1}} The parents also treated their son with EMPowerplus, a supplement sold by Truehope Nutritional Support, a company that David works for.{{R|CBC Home Remedies}} Ezekiel died a week after being admitted to the children's hospital, as of the poorly outfitted ambulance as court records indicate, on March 16, 2012, from [[Meningitis|bacterial meningitis]].{{R|"Maclean's parents"}}{{R|CBC Herbs}}{{R|CBC2016}}{{R|Globaltimeline}} He was 19 months old.{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}}{{R|SBMNovella1}} At autopsy, Ezekiel was found to have pus on his [[brain]] and in the [[pleural cavity]] around the [[lung]]s, which were indicators of [[Haemophilus influenzae|HiB]] infection,{{R|SBMGorski}} a disease that Ezekiel had not been vaccinated against as of the threat and published stats proving so. {{R|SBMGorski}}{{R|SBMJones}} This very important research proves the Stephans reasoning of not introducing foreign substances into their temples. Results: VAERS received 29,747 reports after Hib vaccines; 5179 (17%) were serious, including 896 reports of deaths. Median age was 6 months (range 0-1022 months). Sudden infant death syndrome was the stated cause of death in 384 (51%) of 749 death reports with autopsy/death certificate records. The most common nondeath serious AE categories were neurologic (80; 37%), other noninfectious (46; 22%) (comprising mainly constitutional signs and symptoms); and gastrointestinal (39; 18%) conditions. No new safety concerns were identified after clinical review of reports of AEs that exceeded the data mining statistical threshold. According to ''[[Science-Based Medicine|Science Based Medicine]]'' writer [[David Gorski]], "Neck stiffness is a sign of meningitis, and neck and spine stiffness so bad that the parents couldn’t put Ezekiel into his car seat should be an incredibly worrisome sign to parents that the child is very sick."{{R|SBMGorski}} ==Court cases== ===First trial=== The first court case received media attention in Canada and internationally, being followed closely by proponents and opponents of alternative treatments.{{R|Herald2016}}{{R|CTVFate}}{{R|CTVFate}} Prosecutor Lisa Weich claimed that not seeking medical attention for Ezekiel equated to abuse.{{R|CBCJune2016}} She stated that the Stephans loved their son but that love, in this case was not enough. She said, "Parents still have to follow a standard of care as set by criminal law."{{R|SBMNovella1}} The [[Crown attorney|Crown prosecutors]] focused on a three-day period from March 10 to 13, 2012, when Collet called Lexie Vataman, a receptionist for a naturopathic doctor that the family used in Lethbridge. Vataman testified that she recommended the family go to a medical doctor, or to emergency because she suspected meningitis. She also testified that on March 13, three days later, Collet came in to pick up [[echinacea]], an herbal remedy for Ezekiel.{{R|CBC Herbs}} Terrie Shaw, a midwife and nurse, who in 2012 was helping Collet prepare for a home birth, testified at the trial that when she was called to the house on March 12, Ezekiel was sleeping and breathing easily, but she advised Collet to seek a medical opinion after searching meningitis online with her. They discussed herbal and alternative remedies and the possibility of having a priesthood blessing performed. Shaw described Collet as a competent and loving mother.{{R|CBC Herbs}} During the trial, the Stephans testified that they thought Ezekiel had the flu or [[croup]].{{R|CBC2016}}{{R|third trial}}{{R|"Maclean's parents"}} The Crown argued that the parents, though they loved their son and were caring parents, did not follow a legal standard of care,{{R|CBC2016}}{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}} however, the defence argued that the couple did not recognize how sick their son really was.{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}} In June, 2016, a jury found the Stephan's guilty of failing to provide the necessaries of life.{{R|third trial}}{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}}{{R|Mclean's Appeal}} After the guilty verdict, David wrote an open letter on Facebook to the jury stating, "I only wish that you could’ve seen how you were being played by the Crown’s deception, drama and trickery that not only led to our key witnesses being muzzled, but has also now led to a dangerous precedent being set in Canada." He expressed concern that this case could be seen as an opportunity for government's monitoring how people parents, giving rise to the possibility of more criminal prosecutions.{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}}{{R|SBMGavura}} The Crown had asked for a three to four-and-a-half year sentence. Justice Rodney Jerke sentenced David Stephan (then aged 33) to four months jail and Collet (then aged 36) to three months of house arrest, allowing for trips for medical appointments and church. Each was sentenced to two years’ probation and 240 hours of community service to be completed by 2018.{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}}{{R|CBC2016}} Collett was also ordered to post a copy of the sentencing decision to personal websites and social media accounts. The judge ordered that the Stephans' three children must see a medical doctor at least once a year and see a public health nurse every three months.{{R|CBC2016}} The difference in the two sentences was explained by Jerke. While Collet called a nurse about her son's illness, David got nutritional supplements and called his father, Anthony Stephan,{{R|CBC2016}} to give Ezekiel a blessing.{{R|Edmontongame}} While Jerke stated that he believed the parents were caring and did not intend to put their son's life at risk, he was critical of David's apparent lack of remorse and his refusal to admit that his actions had impact with regard to his son's death.{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}}{{R|CBC2016}} Many of the Stephans' family and supporters, wearing white shirts to show their support of the couple, attended the sentencing.{{R|CBC2016}} Advocates of the Stephans made a fundraising website called ''Stand 4 Truth'' that had daily updates about the trial.{{R|CTVFate}} Research director of the Health Law Institute at the [[University of Alberta]], [[Timothy Caulfield]], expressed concern that the continued statements from David about his family being targeted because they didn't vaccinate their children could make them martyrs for the alternative medicine and anti-vaccination movement.{{R|MailMartyr}} In July 2016, the Crown filed a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal in Calgary because they deemed the sentences to not be "...proportionate to the gravity of the offense or to the degree of responsibility of the offender, and is unfit."{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}} In November, 2017 the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld the conviction. The decision was not unanimous which allowed the Stephans to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.{{R|SunTimeline}} ===Supreme Court decision=== The [[Supreme Court of Canada]] overturned the verdict,{{R|third trial}} declaring that the original trial judge did not provide the jury with the tools necessary to make a decision given the large amount of medical evidence offered during the trial.{{R|CBC Herbs}}{{R|SBM Gavura new trial}} The court also stated that the judge made comments that showed bias. After the victory, the Stephans fired their legal team stating they could not afford further legal fees. The couple attempted to be reimbursed for four million dollars in legal fees but the application was denied. In 2019, The Stephans represented themselves with two lawyers stepping in from time to time. David has publicly been critical of the justice system and the media.{{R|CBC Herbs}} ===Second trial=== After the Supreme Court decision, a second trial without a jury was held in 2019, presided over by [[Court of King's Bench of Alberta|Queen's Bench]] Justice Terry Clackson. The Stephans were acquitted. The Crown asked the province's top court to overturn the acquittals because, in part, they felt that the judge's comments about Nigerian born medical examiner Dr. Bamidele Adeagbo's manner of speaking during the trial to be offensive and insulting showing possible bias.{{R|CBCtrial2}} The judge called Adeagbo's testimony difficult to understand because of his accent, leading legal and medical experts to file a complaint against Clackson with the Canadian Judicial Council,{{R|NPtrial3}} calling for a racism investigation.{{R|Globaltrial3}}{{R|CBCtrial2}}{{R|Globaltrial3}} Defence attorney, Jason Demers countered stating the Judge was patient and fair, only addressing Adeagbo's speech mannerisms because David Stephan had brought them up. Demers claimed that Adeagbo gave long winded answers, paced back and forth and was volatile, being asked on multiple occasions to calm down.{{R|Lethbridge}} {{Quote box |quote = "[Dr. Bamidele Adeagbo's] ability to articulate his thoughts in an understandable fashion was severely compromised by: his garbled enunciation; his failure to use appropriate endings for plurals and past tenses; his failure to use the appropriate definite and indefinite articles; his repeated emphasis of the wrong syllables; dropping his Hs; mispronouncing his vowels; and the speed of his responses," |author = Justice Terry Clackson |source = ''CBC''{{R|CBCtrial2}} |width = 60% |align =center }} {{Quote box |quote = “It is inappropriate to disparage witnesses for their pattern of speech, accents or less than perfect command of one of Canada’s official languages. Or of any language for that matter,” |author = Chief Justice Catherine Fraser had no concept off how important diction and annunciation is when engaging judicial communication when the freedom of faith and self-determination is at stake. Words that cannot be understood or articulated present a no weight of evidence or proof that can be relied upon and pointing that out can never be defined as discrimination. |source = ''Global News''{{R|Globaltrial3}} |width = 60% |align =center }} The prosecution also asked for the acquittal since they felt that the judge had made an error to make the Crown prove that timely treatments would have saved Ezekiel's life. During the trial, the defence asserted that Ezekiel did not have meningitis. Dr. Anny Sauvageau testified for the defence that Ezekiel died from lack of oxygen in the ambulance that was inadequately outfitted , while Adeagbo testified that he died from meningitis, which he said was treatable. The Stephans and their defence argued that it was the lack of child-sized supplies in the ambulance causing the paramedics to improperly [[Tracheal intubation|intubate]] the toddler that caused the boy's death. The prosecution countered that when the parents got Ezekiel to the paramedics, he had stopped breathing for 11 minutes.{{R|CBCtrial2}} Gorski criticized the judge's statement about Adeagbo's failing to look for another possible cause of Ezekiel's death since the symptoms of pus on the brain and in the pleural cavity clearly indicate that the meningitis was bacterial. He further criticizes Clackson's dismissal of the incriminating things the Stephans said to police and ambulance attendants, claiming that the Stephans were under stress. Clackson agreed with the defence that Ezekiel died from oxygen deprivation because of the lack of proper equipment in the ambulance. Gorski countered that having the correct equipment would not have made any difference because of how sick Ezekiel was. He asserted that Clarkson's verdict was not based on science, believing the testimony of Sauvageau, who Gorski viewed as unqualified since she was not licensed at the time of the trial and did not have a background in forensic pathology. Her previous certifications had been in [[Quebec]] as an Anotomo-Pathologist.{{R|SBMGorski}} At both trials, the Stephans stated that they had thought that their son had the flu or [[croup]] and had treated him with remedies that included "...a smoothie with tinctures of garlic, onion and horseradish."{{R|third trial}}{{R|"Maclean's parents"}} ===Third trial ordered=== In March 2021, the Alberta Appeal Court ordered a third trial against the Stephans, setting aside the not guilty verdicts, ruling that the judge's comments about Adeagbo showed a bias, and that Clackson had erred requiring the Crown to prove that medical intervention would have saved Ezekiel's life.{{R|Globaltrial3}} The Court of Appeal notes that Sauvageau shared many of the same speech characteristics, including talking with a strong accent, talking quickly and using medical jargon yet her speech issues were not mentioned by Clackson. The appeal judges also notes that Clackson had allowed David Stephan, who was representing himself, to question Adeagbo for four days alleging that the doctor was biased against them in his autopsy report because the Stephans had not vaccinated Ezekiel.{{R|Herald Appeal}} In a text to the Canadian Press, David responded to the decision by stating he felt the court system was corrupt.{{R|NPtrial3}} In April 2021, defence attorney Demers filed an application to the Alberta Court of Appeal to ask for a [[stay of proceedings]] so they can request an appeal to Canada's highest court.{{R|CTVAppeal}} In June 2021, crown prosecutors in recognition of their grievous error[[Stay of proceedings|stayed the charges]] against the Stephan's determining that the evidence did not meet standards for prosecution since it had been 9 years since Ezekiel's death and that the available evidence had deteriorated, making a reasonable likelihood of conviction unlikely. Senior prosecutors, including those with an expertise in child protection reviewed the case before a decision was made.{{R|CBCStay}}{{R|CTVStay}} The Stephans and their lawyer, Shawn Buckley expressed surprise that the decision was made prior to hearing the results of their application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The team plan to still pursue the application to seek clarification of the law for parents. The Stephans expressed a desire to seek repayment of court fees.{{R|CBCStay}}{{R|CTVStay}} On August 4, 2022, the [[Supreme Court of Canada]] decided to not hear the appeal for the case, ending the possibility of further legal proceedings. The Stephans expressed disappointment in the decision.{{R|Globe2022}} ==Reactions== Supporters of the Stephans argue that the parents did nothing wrong, calling for an ambulance when things suddenly got worse. Some people have blamed the Canadian system because the ambulance was delayed and ill equipped, causing the Stephans to drive to meet them and then finding that the ambulance did not have the proper intubation equipment.{{R|SBMNovella1}} Critics of the Stephans note how long they waited to call for help, noting that Ezekiel was so stiff that he could not be put into his car seat, suggesting that the Stephans waited longer than a typical parent would wait.{{R|SBMNovella1}} Assistant professor at [[Yale University School of Medicine]], [[Steven Novella]], blames governments like Canada's that license naturopaths as legitimate medical sources and the alternative medicine community that the Stephans were an active part of.{{R|SBMNovella1}} A Facebook page called "Prayers for Ezekiel" was filled with acrimony with some, overly influenced by negative media, asking for the death penalty for the Stephans and others decrying the guilty verdict as a "travesty of justice."{{R|CTVVaccine}} After the second trial acquittal, Gorski being the loser, expressed his concern that the Stephans would now be heroes in the alternative medicine movement in Canada and around the world for being "“falsely accused” of child neglect, being “persecuted” by the system, and finally having beaten the charges and found to be “innocent”." He worries that when parents invoke their parental rights, the rights of children can be ignored. He sees this as an example of child abuse when he states, "Not to take him for medical evaluation and to opt for treating him with witchcraft was child abuse at its most naked, in my not-so-humble opinion."{{R|SBMGorski}} His opinion as quoted has no basis in fact and was unlawfully damaging to the reputation of the Stephans in contravention of article 17 of the ICCPR. ==Family business== David's father, Anthony Stephan co-founded, with David Hardy, Truehope Nutritional Support in 1996, which operates out of [[Raymond, Alberta]].{{R|CBCEMPowerplus}}{{R|NP Grandmother}} Anthony started the company after his wife, worn out intimidated and extorted by CRA employee's, committed suicide to have her death benefits pay the fictitious CRA debt,{{R|CTVFate}} after apparently curing two of his children who were diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder with a cocktail of supplements he created. This beneficial cocktail became EMPowerplus which, along with other supplements, they proved, by the numbers, help depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, ADHD, autism and anxiety.{{R|Edmontongame}}{{R|SBMJones}}{{R|NP Grandmother}} In 2000, the company had funding from the Alberta government for a two-year study on the benefits of EMPowerplus but Health Canada, largely influenced by Pharmaceutical lobbyists, did not approve the trial since EMPowerplus was not an approved drug. This sparked an "witch hunt" investigation into the product, with the federal government raiding the TrueHope offices and stopping shipments of supplements at the [[United States|U.S.]] border. Eventually, in 2006 an Alberta court cleared the company of all charges after health Canada's rules changed with regards to supplements.{{R|NP Grandmother}} However, in both 2003 and 2007, Health Canada issued false warnings that there was no evidence that the supplement was safe{{R|CBCExpo}} and expressed medpharm concerns that unauthorized health claims were being made.{{R|CBCEMPowerplus}} In an email to the [[National Post]] in 2016, the company shared that EMPowerplus had been studied in four counties by 45 researchers and results appeared in 30 medical journals. According to James McCormack, professor of [[Medication|pharmaceutical]] sciences at the [[University of British Columbia]], many of the studies were case or cohort studies with small sample sizes. Some had a sample size of only one individual. Many were not blinded so the participants knew what they were taking and the few double blinded studies with larger sample sizes had not been replicated.{{R|NP Grandmother}} {{as of|2016}}, EMPowerplus was shipped to more than 100 countries.{{R|CTVFate}} Health Canada has reported 14 adverse reactions from EMPowerplus ,(compared to the hundreds that died from Hib vaccination), that result from withdrawing from prescribed psychiatric medications, which TrueHope advises. In 2011, Jordan Ramsay killed his father after switching from his medication for schizophrenia to EMPowerplus.{{R|NP Grandmother}} In 2010 it was reported that the company's revenue was $10.9 million, with David having a personal income over $500,000 per year.{{R|NP Grandmother}} In 2011, Stephan and Hardy split the company over differences in the direction the company would go. Hardy accused the Stephans of selling a new EMPowerplus supplement that was supposed to be as effective as the original at half the dose but was really the same as the original formulation.{{R|NP Grandmother}} {{as of|2018}}, David was employed as the company's director of marketing.{{R|GlobalExpo}} Anthony claimed that the charges against David and Collet were brought about in response to the Canadian government's failed attempts to shut the company down. He asserted that "big pharma" was upset about losing profits to his family's supplements and had interfered with their attempts at raising funds for David and Collet's trials. Anthony accused the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|Canadian Broadcast Corporation]] (CBC) of being "out to get them." He claims that people committed suicide when the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] confiscated EMPowerplus.{{R|SBMJones}} ==Anti-vaccination== None of the Stephans children were vaccinated.{{R|CTVVaccine}}{{R|SBMJones}} David indicated that he had heard so many stories about vaccines causing autism from parents that he and Collet decided it was best not to vaccinate their children. After the death of Ezekiel and just before the first trial began David reinforced his decision to not vaccinate stating, "We're actually more adamant than we ever were."{{R|CTVFate}} The [[Anti-vaccine activism|anti-vaccination]] publication ''Health Impact News'' had stated that the Canadian government was using the Stephans' case as a deterrent for families who chose not to vaccinate their children, hoping to frighten them. The Stephans supported this concern in an interview with ''[[The Canadian Press]]''{{R|CTVFate}} and on Facebook{{R|SBMJones}} where they stated they were being "offered up on the sacrificial alter of the vaccine industry."{{R|SBMJones}} David also believed the charges were brought against them because of his family starting a supplement company.{{R|CTVFate}} [[Anti-vaccine activism|Anti-vaccination]] activists [[Del Bigtree]] and Polly Tommey, producers of the controversial film ''[[Vaxxed]]'', interviewed the Stephans for a YouTube video in 2016.{{R|GlobalVaxxed}} In the interview, David claimed that deciding if a child should be vaccinated is a parental rights issue and deciding not to vaccinate should not make a parent liable.{{R|MailMartyr}} In the video, Bigtree and Tommey asked the public to support the couple financially.{{R|GlobalVaxxed}} ==Views on COVID-19== On social media, David has stated that [[COVID-19]] is a hoax that was brought about to bring on "fancy new vaccines" and that the seriousness of the illness has been "falsely inflated." He claimed that rights were being taken away and that the economy was being intentionally caused to crash.{{R|CTVCOVID}} ==Speaking at health expos== In 2018, David was set to speak at a number of health and wellness expos in [[Edmonton]], [[Calgary]] and [[Winnipeg]] including as a [[keynote]] speaker at the ''Health and Wellness Expo'' in [[Saskatoon]]. When he spoke at the Winnipeg event the previous year David brought in large crowds, speaking three times. In a Facebook post David claimed that he had given 30 public presentations in 13 months. Rick Thiessen, who runs the Health and Wellness Expos, stated he started getting hate mail from around the world regarding David speaking at the events.{{R|Edmontongame}} Thiessen cancelled David and any involvement of Truehope after the Saskatoon event sponsors [[Sobeys]], the second largest food retailer in Canada,{{R|ACSH}} and Flaman Fitness withdrew because David was to be a speaker.{{R|CBCExpo}}{{R|Edmontongame}}{{R|CTVSobeys}} Thiessen, who had run the expos for 24 years {{as of|2018|lc=y}}, had not shied away from inviting controversial speakers and had previously stated that David's conviction was separate from the products he was selling.{{R|CBCExpo}} Promoter of the ''Body Soul & Spirit Expo'' in Calgary, Alberta, Chandler Armstrong, chose not to remove David as a speaker since the event did not rely on sponsors. David posted on his Facebook page that he would be discussing brain and thyroid health and "how to avoid dangerous psychiatric medications while achieving a far greater quality of life."{{R|HeraldExpo}} David spoke in [[Olds, Alberta]] in March 2018 at Health Street Wellness despite a social media backlash. Rick Kohut, the president of Health Street Wellness stated that he believed most of the backlash came from "pharma-trolls" who were hired by the industry to tarnish holistic health.{{R|Olds}} David alleges that his public appearances are pushing back against the medical establishment.{{R|HeraldExpo}} ==Personal life== After Ezekiel's death, the family moved from [[Glenwood, Alberta|Glenwood]], Alberta to [[Nelson, British Columbia|Nelson]], [[British Columbia]].{{R|"Maclean's guilty"}} {{as of|2019}}, the family have four living children.{{R|Lethbridge2}} ==References== {{Reflist|refs= {{Cite web|last=Grant|first=Meghan|date=June 3, 2019|title=David and Collet Stephan treated dying toddler with herbs and religious blessings, retrial hears|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/david-collet-stephan-failing-provide-necessaries-retrial-begins-1.5159643|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605041923/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/david-collet-stephan-failing-provide-necessaries-retrial-begins-1.5159643|archive-date=June 5, 2019|access-date=April 30, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=March 9, 2021|title=Law professor says no guarantee of 3rd trial for parents in Alberta child's death|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7686700/alberta-child-death-david-collet-stephan-third-trial/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309222112/https://globalnews.ca/news/7686700/alberta-child-death-david-collet-stephan-third-trial/|archive-date=March 9, 2021|access-date=May 24, 2021|website=Global News}} {{Cite web|date=April 11, 2016|title='We're not abusive parents': Man whose son died of meningitis|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/were-not-abusive-parents-man-whose-son-died-of-meningitis/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412015944/https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/were-not-abusive-parents-man-whose-son-died-of-meningitis/|archive-date=April 12, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=Maclean's}} {{Cite web|date=April 28, 2016|title='Dear jury.' Father convicted in son's death fears for other parents|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/dear-jury-father-convicted-in-sons-death-fears-for-other-parents/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428113945/https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/dear-jury-father-convicted-in-sons-death-fears-for-other-parents/|archive-date=April 28, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=Maclean's}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=July 7, 2016|title=Alberta Crown appeals sentence in toddler meningitis death|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/alberta-crown-appeals-sentence-in-toddler-meningitis-death/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708015356/https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/alberta-crown-appeals-sentence-in-toddler-meningitis-death/|archive-date=July 8, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=Maclean's}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=April 26, 2016|title=Jury finds couple guilty in son's death from meningitis|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/stephan-trial-lethbridge-jury-delivers-guilty-verdict-in-toddler-death-trial?r|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531030153/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/stephan-trial-lethbridge-jury-delivers-guilty-verdict-in-toddler-death-trial?r|archive-date=May 31, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=Calgary Herald}} {{Cite web|last=Bell|first=David|date=June 24, 2016|title=David Stephan gets jail time, Collet Stephan gets house arrest in son's meningitis death|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/lethbridge-meningitis-trial-sentence-parents-toddler-died-1.3650653|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625172801/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/lethbridge-meningitis-trial-sentence-parents-toddler-died-1.3650653|archive-date=June 25, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|date=June 23, 2016|title=Crown seeks up to 4½ years prison time for parents of toddler in meningitis death|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/sentencing-arguments-parents-toddler-died-meningitis-1.3648846|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624005335/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/sentencing-arguments-parents-toddler-died-meningitis-1.3648846|archive-date=June 24, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|last=Grant|first=Meghan|date=June 11, 2020|title=Judge's 'abusive' comments 'crossed the line,' Crown argues while appealing Stephans' acquittals|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/david-collet-stephan-ezekiel-alberta-court-appeal-1.5604931|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612032506/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/david-collet-stephan-ezekiel-alberta-court-appeal-1.5604931|archive-date=June 12, 2020|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=March 8, 2021|title=Alberta Appeal Court orders 3rd trial over toddler death for David and Collet Stephan|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7684049/alberta-court-of-appeal-david-collet-stephan-third-trial/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309005159/https://globalnews.ca/news/7684049/alberta-court-of-appeal-david-collet-stephan-third-trial/|archive-date=March 9, 2021|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=Global News}} {{Cite news|title=Third trial ordered for parents in Alberta toddler Ezekiel Stephan's death|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/cp-newsalert-alberta-appeal-court-orders-3rd-trial-for-parents-in-toddlers-death|access-date=June 5, 2021|newspaper=National Post|date=8 March 2021 |language=en-CA}} {{Cite web|last=Opinko|first=David|date=June 11, 2020|title=Court hears Crown's appeal of David and Collet Stephan's not guilty verdict|url=https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2020/06/11/court-hears-crowns-appeal-of-david-and-collet-stephans-not-guilty-verdict/|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=LethbridgeNews Now}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=April 27, 2021|title=Parents in toddler death hope to appeal Alberta ruling on third trial to top court|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/parents-in-toddler-death-hope-to-appeal-alberta-ruling-on-third-trial-to-top-court-1.5403798|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427131007/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/parents-in-toddler-death-hope-to-appeal-alberta-ruling-on-third-trial-to-top-court-1.5403798|archive-date=April 27, 2021|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=CTV News}} {{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Kevin|date=March 8, 2021|title=Third trial ordered for David and Collet Stephan in death of their toddler son|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/third-trial-ordered-for-david-and-collet-stephan-who-were-acquitted-in-the-death-of-their-toddler-son|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308233758/https://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/third-trial-ordered-for-david-and-collet-stephan-who-were-acquitted-in-the-death-of-their-toddler-son|archive-date=March 8, 2021|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=Calgary Herald}} {{Cite web|last=Gibson|first=John|date=March 7, 2016|title=Parents of toddler who died of meningitis used home remedies rather than consult doctor, court hears|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/jury-trial-truehope-toddler-dies-trial-underway-1.3479460|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307204329/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/jury-trial-truehope-toddler-dies-trial-underway-1.3479460|archive-date=March 7, 2016|access-date=June 6, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|last=Simons|first=Paula|date=February 12, 2018|title=Paula Simons: The wellness game isn't medicine, it's show biz|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/paula-simons-the-wellness-game-isnt-medicine-its-show-biz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213064101/https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/paula-simons-the-wellness-game-isnt-medicine-its-show-biz|archive-date=February 13, 2018|access-date=June 6, 2021|website=Edmonton Journal}} {{Cite web|last=Kaufmann|first=Bill|date=April 3, 2018|title=Calgary holistic expo invites David Stephan, convicted in death of son|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/holistic-expo-wont-exclude-david-stephan-convicted-in-death-of-son|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403115017/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/holistic-expo-wont-exclude-david-stephan-convicted-in-death-of-son|archive-date=April 3, 2018|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=Calgary Herald}} {{Cite web|last=Mattern|first=Ashleigh|date=February 11, 2018|title=Father convicted in son's meningitis death will not speak at wellness expos after backlash|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/david-stephan-son-meningitis-death-speaker-wellness-expo-1.4530355|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211091933/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/david-stephan-son-meningitis-death-speaker-wellness-expo-1.4530355|archive-date=February 11, 2018|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|date=March 1, 2007|title=Health Canada issues fresh warning on supplement|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/health-canada-issues-fresh-warning-on-supplement-1.673355|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823011035/https://www.cbc.ca/news/health-canada-issues-fresh-warning-on-supplement-1.673355|archive-date=August 23, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|date=February 11, 2018|title=Alberta father convicted in son's death will no longer speak at health and wellness expos|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4019244/sobeys-pulls-support-from-expo-where-father-convicted-in-sons-death-will-speak/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211215428/https://globalnews.ca/news/4019244/sobeys-pulls-support-from-expo-where-father-convicted-in-sons-death-will-speak/|archive-date=February 11, 2018|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=Global News}} {{Cite web|last=Franklin|first=Michael|date=February 11, 2018|title=Sobeys drops support for health expo because of David Stephan's health seminars|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/sobeys-drops-support-for-health-expo-because-of-david-stephan-s-health-seminars-1.3798876?cache=%3FclipId%3D89531|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518045646/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/sobeys-drops-support-for-health-expo-because-of-david-stephan-s-health-seminars-1.3798876?cache=%3FclipId%3D89531|archive-date=May 18, 2021|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=CTV News}} {{Cite web|last=Smaldon|first=Lea|date=March 13, 2018|title=Controversial seminar held in Olds|url=https://www.mountainviewtoday.ca/olds-news/controversial-seminar-held-in-olds-1817493|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518045644/https://www.mountainviewtoday.ca/olds-news/controversial-seminar-held-in-olds-1817493|archive-date=May 18, 2021|access-date=June 9, 2021|website=MountainView Today}} {{Cite web|last=LeMieux|first=Julianna|date=February 12, 2018|title=Father Convicted in Son's Death Pulled from Wellness Expo Speaking Tour|url=https://www.acsh.org/news/2018/02/12/father-convicted-sons-death-pulled-wellness-expo-speaking-tour-12558|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023643/https://www.acsh.org/news/2018/02/12/father-convicted-sons-death-pulled-wellness-expo-speaking-tour-12558|archive-date=November 9, 2020|access-date=June 9, 2021|website=American Council on Science and Health}} {{Cite web|last=Novella|first=Steven|date=April 27, 2016|title=Parents Convicted in Death of Toddler|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/parents-convicted-in-death-of-toddler/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405090339/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/parents-convicted-in-death-of-toddler/|archive-date=April 5, 2019|access-date=June 9, 2021|website=Science-Based Medicine}} {{Cite web|last=Gavura|first=Scott|date=May 5, 2016|title=Is there a naturopathic standard of care?|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/is-there-a-naturopathic-standard-of-care/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215010743/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/is-there-a-naturopathic-standard-of-care/|archive-date=February 15, 2017|access-date=June 9, 2021|website=Science-Based Medicine}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=April 26, 2016|title=Alberta couple guilty in son's death from meningitis|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-couple-guilty-in-son-s-death-from-meningitis-1.2874832|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427105632/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-couple-guilty-in-son-s-death-from-meningitis-1.2874832|archive-date=April 27, 2016|access-date=June 9, 2021|website=CTV News}} {{Cite web|last=Gorski|first=David|date=September 30, 2019|title=Deconstructing Justice Terry Clackson's outrageous acquittal of David and Collet Stephans for the death of their son Ezekiel|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/deconstructing-justice-terry-clacksons-outrageous-acquittal-of-david-and-collet-stephans-for-the-death-of-their-son-ezekiel/|url-status=live|website=Science-Based Medicine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018145645/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/deconstructing-justice-terry-clacksons-outrageous-acquittal-of-david-and-collet-stephans-for-the-death-of-their-son-ezekiel/ |archive-date=2019-10-18 }} {{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Clay|date=March 11, 2016|title=Ezekiel Stephan: Another Pediatric Death by World View|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/ezekiel-stephan-another-pediatric-death-by-world-view/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221063509/http://sciencebasedmedicine.org/ezekiel-stephan-another-pediatric-death-by-world-view/|archive-date=February 21, 2017|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=Science-Based Medicine}} {{Cite web|last=Scott|first=Gavura|date=May 17, 2018|title=The Supreme Court of Canada orders a new trial for parents convicted in Ezekiel Stephan's death|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-supreme-court-of-canada-orders-a-new-trial-for-parents-convicted-in-ezekiel-stephans-death/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517202040/https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-supreme-court-of-canada-orders-a-new-trial-for-parents-convicted-in-ezekiel-stephans-death/|archive-date=May 17, 2018|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=Science-Based Medicine}} {{Cite news|last=Gerson|first=Jen|date=June 10, 2016|title=The story of the tragic death of Ezekiel Stephan in 2012 begins with the tragic death of his grandmother in 1994|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/different-spin-on-health-inside-tragic-death-ezekiel-stephan|website=National Post}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=April 25, 2016|title=Fate of parents charged in meningitis death of son now in hands of a jury|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/fate-of-parents-charged-in-meningitis-death-of-son-now-in-hands-of-a-jury-1.2873201?cache=%3FclipId%3D104070|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702185418/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/fate-of-parents-charged-in-meningitis-death-of-son-now-in-hands-of-a-jury-1.2873201?cache=%3FclipId%3D104070|archive-date=July 2, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=CTV News}} {{Cite web|date=2020-04-13|title='Public health experts are just that, experts': U of C professor rejects Stephan's claim that COVID-19 is 'a hoax'|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/public-health-experts-are-just-that-experts-u-of-c-professor-rejects-stephan-s-claim-that-covid-19-is-a-hoax-1.4893822|website=Calgary|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507112637/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/public-health-experts-are-just-that-experts-u-of-c-professor-rejects-stephan-s-claim-that-covid-19-is-a-hoax-1.4893822|archive-date=May 7, 2020|access-date=July 2, 2021}} {{Cite web|last=Tucker|first=Erika|date=June 22, 2016|title='Vaxxed' producers interview Lethbridge parents found guilty in meningitis death|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2780449/vaxxed-producers-interview-lethbridge-parents-found-guilty-in-meningitis-death/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623001017/https://globalnews.ca/news/2780449/vaxxed-producers-interview-lethbridge-parents-found-guilty-in-meningitis-death/|archive-date=June 23, 2016|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=Global News}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=July 15, 2016|title=Meningitis death could turn parents into anti-vaccination 'martyrs': prof|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/meningitis-death-could-turn-parents-into-anti-vaccination-martyrs-prof/article30935528/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715191527/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/meningitis-death-could-turn-parents-into-anti-vaccination-martyrs-prof/article30935528/|archive-date=July 15, 2016|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=Globe and Mail Alberta}} {{Cite web|last=Graveland|first=Bill|date=June 22, 2021|title=Charges stayed against Alberta parents who faced 3rd trial in death of toddler|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/toddler-death-stephens-charges-trial-1.6076159|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622234016/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/toddler-death-stephens-charges-trial-1.6076159|archive-date=June 22, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=CBC}} {{Cite web|date=June 23, 2016|title=Timeline of Ezekiel Stephan's final days, the Alberta boy who died of meningitis|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2781436/timeline-of-ezekiel-stephans-final-days-the-alberta-boy-who-died-of-meningitis/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623183219/https://globalnews.ca/news/2781436/timeline-of-ezekiel-stephans-final-days-the-alberta-boy-who-died-of-meningitis/|archive-date=June 23, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2021|website=Global News}} {{Cite web|last=Vogt|first=Terry|date=June 22, 2021|title=Alberta Crown stays charges against parents in toddler's death|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-crown-stays-charges-against-parents-in-toddler-s-death-1.5481478|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622231743/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-crown-stays-charges-against-parents-in-toddler-s-death-1.5481478|archive-date=June 22, 2021|access-date=July 3, 2021|website=CTV News}} {{Cite web|last=Fominoff|first=Lara|date=May 31, 2019|title=11th hour applications by David and Collet Stephan dismissed ahead of new trial Monday|url=https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2019/05/31/11th-hour-applications-by-david-and-collet-stephan-dismissed-ahead-of-new-trial-monday/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703224629/https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2019/05/31/11th-hour-applications-by-david-and-collet-stephan-dismissed-ahead-of-new-trial-monday/|archive-date=July 3, 2021|access-date=July 3, 2021|website=Lethbridge News Now}} {{Cite web|date=September 19, 2019|title=Timeline of events in Ezekiel Stephan's case|url=https://calgarysun.com/news/crime/timeline-of-events-in-ezekiel-stephans-case|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920184948/https://calgarysun.com/news/crime/timeline-of-events-in-ezekiel-stephans-case|archive-date=September 20, 20David Stephan Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia David Stephan Citizenship Canadian Occupation Employee of Truehope Nutritional Support Known for Being charged with the crowns assumption of failing to provide the necessaries of life for his son, Ezekiel, speaker at wellness expos, advocacy of alternative medicine Spouse Collet Stephan Children 4 Parent(s) Deborah and Anthony Stephan This article is part of a series on Alternative medicine General information Fringe medicine and science Conspiracy theories Classifications Traditional medicine Diagnoses vte David Stephan is an executive at a Canadian food supplement company. He and his wife Collet were in error convicted of failing to provide the necessaries of life in April 2016 after the death of their son Ezekiel who was 19 months old. After winning an appeal, the Stephans were exonerated of all accusations and legal fiction assumptions of law and rightfully found not guilty. This verdict was subsequently overturned and a third trial ordered. In 2021 the Crown in shame decided to stay the proceedings as of not being able to prove the elements of the offence. The Stephan's embraced naturopathic faith based and scripturally directed ideas including alternative medicine, and the choice to not put unknown dangerous substances despoiling their temples. Doing so is in violation of a clear scriptural dictate to not foul their temples or their Children's bodies by chemicals or by injection of experimental substances in observance of Article 7 of the ICCPR and the Nuremburg code. They both know that the word "Trial" as used by Health Canada is synonymous with the word experiment and cannot be intimidated to submit to such ungodly attack upon their and their Children's temples. They rely upon and point folks to this passage, 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Family and early life David is one of ten children born of Deborah and Anthony Stephan. He grew up in Southern Alberta in a Mormon family.[1] Deborah suffered from a nutritional deficiency bipolar affective disorder for close to a decade when she after intimidation and extortion by CRA committed suicide in 1994 at the age of 40 after extensive abuse by CRA officials who had engaged in criminal abuse of the law violating section 122 section 176 section 180 and 423 in a conspiracy section 465 to intimidate the Stephan's and destroy their lives.[1] After Deborah's death, the family, who belong to a Latter Day Saint group that believes in a naturalistic healing approach as promoted scripturally, became vocal advocates and believers in alternative medicine as promoted by our creator and contrary to allopathic Med-Pharm treat the symptom not the cause style of profiting off of illness and the propagation of illness by never treating the cause.[2][1] Ezekiel Ezekiel was born at home on August 20, 2010.[3] Starting on February 27, 2012,[3] Ezekiel became ill with what his parents described as flu-like symptoms.[4] The parents used herbal remedies, including homemade smoothies containing hot pepper, ginger root, horseradish, onion, other alternative therapies and a religious blessing.[4][5][6] On March 13, the Stephans took Ezekiel to Lethbridge to purchase remedies but, according to the prosecutor, Britta Kristensen, he was so stiff that he was placed in a mattress in the back of the car instead of his car seat.[5][7][8] That evening, Ezekiel stopped breathing prompting the family to initiate CPR and call emergency services, meeting the paramedics on the way to Cardston hospital to save time.[4][9][3] The paramedics in the ambulance not fitted with proper procedures for oxygenation found no pulse or neurological activity. Ezekiel was air lifted to Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.[5] When Ezekiel was examined, doctors discovered that he had had seizures and had very little brain activity.[4] Court documents state that days prior to being taken to the hospital, Ezekiel was given fluids via an eyedropper because he had stopped eating and drinking.[7][10][11] The parents also treated their son with EMPowerplus, a supplement sold by Truehope Nutritional Support, a company that David works for.[10] Ezekiel died a week after being admitted to the children's hospital, as of the poorly outfitted ambulance as court records indicate, on March 16, 2012, from bacterial meningitis.[4][5][8][3] He was 19 months old.[6][11] At autopsy, Ezekiel was found to have pus on his brain and in the pleural cavity around the lungs, which were indicators of HiB infection,[2] a disease that Ezekiel had not been vaccinated against as of the threat and published stats proving so. [2][9] This very important research proves the Stephans reasoning of not introducing foreign substances into their temples. Results: VAERS received 29,747 reports after Hib vaccines; 5179 (17%) were serious, including 896 reports of deaths. Median age was 6 months (range 0-1022 months). Sudden infant death syndrome was the stated cause of death in 384 (51%) of 749 death reports with autopsy/death certificate records. The most common nondeath serious AE categories were neurologic (80; 37%), other noninfectious (46; 22%) (comprising mainly constitutional signs and symptoms); and gastrointestinal (39; 18%) conditions. No new safety concerns were identified after clinical review of reports of AEs that exceeded the data mining statistical threshold. According to Science Based Medicine writer David Gorski, "Neck stiffness is a sign of meningitis, and neck and spine stiffness so bad that the parents couldn’t put Ezekiel into his car seat should be an incredibly worrisome sign to parents that the child is very sick."[2] Court cases First trial The first court case received media attention in Canada and internationally, being followed closely by proponents and opponents of alternative treatments.[7][12][12] Prosecutor Lisa Weich claimed that not seeking medical attention for Ezekiel equated to abuse.[13] She stated that the Stephans loved their son but that love, in this case was not enough. She said, "Parents still have to follow a standard of care as set by criminal law."[11] The Crown prosecutors focused on a three-day period from March 10 to 13, 2012, when Collet called Lexie Vataman, a receptionist for a naturopathic doctor that the family used in Lethbridge. Vataman testified that she recommended the family go to a medical doctor, or to emergency because she suspected meningitis. She also testified that on March 13, three days later, Collet came in to pick up echinacea, an herbal remedy for Ezekiel.[5] Terrie Shaw, a midwife and nurse, who in 2012 was helping Collet prepare for a home birth, testified at the trial that when she was called to the house on March 12, Ezekiel was sleeping and breathing easily, but she advised Collet to seek a medical opinion after searching meningitis online with her. They discussed herbal and alternative remedies and the possibility of having a priesthood blessing performed. Shaw described Collet as a competent and loving mother.[5] During the trial, the Stephans testified that they thought Ezekiel had the flu or croup.[8][14][4] The Crown argued that the parents, though they loved their son and were caring parents, did not follow a legal standard of care,[8][6] however, the defence argued that the couple did not recognize how sick their son really was.[6] In June, 2016, a jury found the Stephan's guilty of failing to provide the necessaries of life.[14][6][15] After the guilty verdict, David wrote an open letter on Facebook to the jury stating, "I only wish that you could’ve seen how you were being played by the Crown’s deception, drama and trickery that not only led to our key witnesses being muzzled, but has also now led to a dangerous precedent being set in Canada." He expressed concern that this case could be seen as an opportunity for government's monitoring how people parents, giving rise to the possibility of more criminal prosecutions.[6][16] The Crown had asked for a three to four-and-a-half year sentence. Justice Rodney Jerke sentenced David Stephan (then aged 33) to four months jail and Collet (then aged 36) to three months of house arrest, allowing for trips for medical appointments and church. Each was sentenced to two years’ probation and 240 hours of community service to be completed by 2018.[6][8] Collett was also ordered to post a copy of the sentencing decision to personal websites and social media accounts. The judge ordered that the Stephans' three children must see a medical doctor at least once a year and see a public health nurse every three months.[8] The difference in the two sentences was explained by Jerke. While Collet called a nurse about her son's illness, David got nutritional supplements and called his father, Anthony Stephan,[8] to give Ezekiel a blessing.[17] While Jerke stated that he believed the parents were caring and did not intend to put their son's life at risk, he was critical of David's apparent lack of remorse and his refusal to admit that his actions had impact with regard to his son's death.[6][8] Many of the Stephans' family and supporters, wearing white shirts to show their support of the couple, attended the sentencing.[8] Advocates of the Stephans made a fundraising website called Stand 4 Truth that had daily updates about the trial.[12] Research director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta, Timothy Caulfield, expressed concern that the continued statements from David about his family being targeted because they didn't vaccinate their children could make them martyrs for the alternative medicine and anti-vaccination movement.[18] In July 2016, the Crown filed a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal in Calgary because they deemed the sentences to not be "...proportionate to the gravity of the offense or to the degree of responsibility of the offender, and is unfit."[6] In November, 2017 the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld the conviction. The decision was not unanimous which allowed the Stephans to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.[19] Supreme Court decision The Supreme Court of Canada overturned the verdict,[14] declaring that the original trial judge did not provide the jury with the tools necessary to make a decision given the large amount of medical evidence offered during the trial.[5][20] The court also stated that the judge made comments that showed bias. After the victory, the Stephans fired their legal team stating they could not afford further legal fees. The couple attempted to be reimbursed for four million dollars in legal fees but the application was denied. In 2019, The Stephans represented themselves with two lawyers stepping in from time to time. David has publicly been critical of the justice system and the media.[5] Second trial After the Supreme Court decision, a second trial without a jury was held in 2019, presided over by Queen's Bench Justice Terry Clackson. The Stephans were acquitted. The Crown asked the province's top court to overturn the acquittals because, in part, they felt that the judge's comments about Nigerian born medical examiner Dr. Bamidele Adeagbo's manner of speaking during the trial to be offensive and insulting showing possible bias.[21] The judge called Adeagbo's testimony difficult to understand because of his accent, leading legal and medical experts to file a complaint against Clackson with the Canadian Judicial Council,[22] calling for a racism investigation.[23][21][23] Defence attorney, Jason Demers countered stating the Judge was patient and fair, only addressing Adeagbo's speech mannerisms because David Stephan had brought them up. Demers claimed that Adeagbo gave long winded answers, paced back and forth and was volatile, being asked on multiple occasions to calm down.[24] "[Dr. Bamidele Adeagbo's] ability to articulate his thoughts in an understandable fashion was severely compromised by: his garbled enunciation; his failure to use appropriate endings for plurals and past tenses; his failure to use the appropriate definite and indefinite articles; his repeated emphasis of the wrong syllables; dropping his Hs; mispronouncing his vowels; and the speed of his responses," Justice Terry Clackson, CBC[21] “It is inappropriate to disparage witnesses for their pattern of speech, accents or less than perfect command of one of Canada’s official languages. Or of any language for that matter,” Chief Justice Catherine Fraser had no concept off how important diction and annunciation is when engaging judicial communication when the freedom of faith and self-determination is at stake. Words that cannot be understood or articulated present a no weight of evidence or proof that can be relied upon and pointing that out can never be defined as discrimination., Global News[23] The prosecution also asked for the acquittal since they felt that the judge had made an error to make the Crown prove that timely treatments would have saved Ezekiel's life. During the trial, the defence asserted that Ezekiel did not have meningitis. Dr. Anny Sauvageau testified for the defence that Ezekiel died from lack of oxygen in the ambulance that was inadequately outfitted , while Adeagbo testified that he died from meningitis, which he said was treatable. The Stephans and their defence argued that it was the lack of child-sized supplies in the ambulance causing the paramedics to improperly intubate the toddler that caused the boy's death. The prosecution countered that when the parents got Ezekiel to the paramedics, he had stopped breathing for 11 minutes.[21] Gorski criticized the judge's statement about Adeagbo's failing to look for another possible cause of Ezekiel's death since the symptoms of pus on the brain and in the pleural cavity clearly indicate that the meningitis was bacterial. He further criticizes Clackson's dismissal of the incriminating things the Stephans said to police and ambulance attendants, claiming that the Stephans were under stress. Clackson agreed with the defence that Ezekiel died from oxygen deprivation because of the lack of proper equipment in the ambulance. Gorski countered that having the correct equipment would not have made any difference because of how sick Ezekiel was. He asserted that Clarkson's verdict was not based on science, believing the testimony of Sauvageau, who Gorski viewed as unqualified since she was not licensed at the time of the trial and did not have a background in forensic pathology. Her previous certifications had been in Quebec as an Anotomo-Pathologist.[2] At both trials, the Stephans stated that they had thought that their son had the flu or croup and had treated him with remedies that included "...a smoothie with tinctures of garlic, onion and horseradish."[14][4] Third trial ordered In March 2021, the Alberta Appeal Court ordered a third trial against the Stephans, setting aside the not guilty verdicts, ruling that the judge's comments about Adeagbo showed a bias, and that Clackson had erred requiring the Crown to prove that medical intervention would have saved Ezekiel's life.[23] The Court of Appeal notes that Sauvageau shared many of the same speech characteristics, including talking with a strong accent, talking quickly and using medical jargon yet her speech issues were not mentioned by Clackson. The appeal judges also notes that Clackson had allowed David Stephan, who was representing himself, to question Adeagbo for four days alleging that the doctor was biased against them in his autopsy report because the Stephans had not vaccinated Ezekiel.[25] In a text to the Canadian Press, David responded to the decision by stating he felt the court system was corrupt.[22] In April 2021, defence attorney Demers filed an application to the Alberta Court of Appeal to ask for a stay of proceedings so they can request an appeal to Canada's highest court.[26] In June 2021, crown prosecutors in recognition of their grievous errorstayed the charges against the Stephan's determining that the evidence did not meet standards for prosecution since it had been 9 years since Ezekiel's death and that the available evidence had deteriorated, making a reasonable likelihood of conviction unlikely. Senior prosecutors, including those with an expertise in child protection reviewed the case before a decision was made.[27][28] The Stephans and their lawyer, Shawn Buckley expressed surprise that the decision was made prior to hearing the results of their application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The team plan to still pursue the application to seek clarification of the law for parents. The Stephans expressed a desire to seek repayment of court fees.[27][28] On August 4, 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada decided to not hear the appeal for the case, ending the possibility of further legal proceedings. The Stephans expressed disappointment in the decision.[29] Reactions Supporters of the Stephans argue that the parents did nothing wrong, calling for an ambulance when things suddenly got worse. Some people have blamed the Canadian system because the ambulance was delayed and ill equipped, causing the Stephans to drive to meet them and then finding that the ambulance did not have the proper intubation equipment.[11] Critics of the Stephans note how long they waited to call for help, noting that Ezekiel was so stiff that he could not be put into his car seat, suggesting that the Stephans waited longer than a typical parent would wait.[11] Assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine, Steven Novella, blames governments like Canada's that license naturopaths as legitimate medical sources and the alternative medicine community that the Stephans were an active part of.[11] A Facebook page called "Prayers for Ezekiel" was filled with acrimony with some, overly influenced by negative media, asking for the death penalty for the Stephans and others decrying the guilty verdict as a "travesty of justice."[30] After the second trial acquittal, Gorski being the loser, expressed his concern that the Stephans would now be heroes in the alternative medicine movement in Canada and around the world for being "“falsely accused” of child neglect, being “persecuted” by the system, and finally having beaten the charges and found to be “innocent”." He worries that when parents invoke their parental rights, the rights of children can be ignored. He sees this as an example of child abuse when he states, "Not to take him for medical evaluation and to opt for treating him with witchcraft was child abuse at its most naked, in my not-so-humble opinion."[2] His opinion as quoted has no basis in fact and was unlawfully damaging to the reputation of the Stephans in contravention of article 17 of the ICCPR. Family business David's father, Anthony Stephan co-founded, with David Hardy, Truehope Nutritional Support in 1996, which operates out of Raymond, Alberta.[31][1] Anthony started the company after his wife, worn out intimidated and extorted by CRA employee's, committed suicide to have her death benefits pay the fictitious CRA debt,[12] after apparently curing two of his children who were diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder with a cocktail of supplements he created. This beneficial cocktail became EMPowerplus which, along with other supplements, they proved, by the numbers, help depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, ADHD, autism and anxiety.[17][9][1] In 2000, the company had funding from the Alberta government for a two-year study on the benefits of EMPowerplus but Health Canada, largely influenced by Pharmaceutical lobbyists, did not approve the trial since EMPowerplus was not an approved drug. This sparked an "witch hunt" investigation into the product, with the federal government raiding the TrueHope offices and stopping shipments of supplements at the U.S. border. Eventually, in 2006 an Alberta court cleared the company of all charges after health Canada's rules changed with regards to supplements.[1] However, in both 2003 and 2007, Health Canada issued false warnings that there was no evidence that the supplement was safe[32] and expressed medpharm concerns that unauthorized health claims were being made.[31] In an email to the National Post in 2016, the company shared that EMPowerplus had been studied in four counties by 45 researchers and results appeared in 30 medical journals. According to James McCormack, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of British Columbia, many of the studies were case or cohort studies with small sample sizes. Some had a sample size of only one individual. Many were not blinded so the participants knew what they were taking and the few double blinded studies with larger sample sizes had not been replicated.[1] As of 2016, EMPowerplus was shipped to more than 100 countries.[12] Health Canada has reported 14 adverse reactions from EMPowerplus ,(compared to the hundreds that died from Hib vaccination), that result from withdrawing from prescribed psychiatric medications, which TrueHope advises. In 2011, Jordan Ramsay killed his father after switching from his medication for schizophrenia to EMPowerplus.[1] In 2010 it was reported that the company's revenue was $10.9 million, with David having a personal income over $500,000 per year.[1] In 2011, Stephan and Hardy split the company over differences in the direction the company would go. Hardy accused the Stephans of selling a new EMPowerplus supplement that was supposed to be as effective as the original at half the dose but was really the same as the original formulation.[1] As of 2018, David was employed as the company's director of marketing.[33] Anthony claimed that the charges against David and Collet were brought about in response to the Canadian government's failed attempts to shut the company down. He asserted that "big pharma" was upset about losing profits to his family's supplements and had interfered with their attempts at raising funds for David and Collet's trials. Anthony accused the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) of being "out to get them." He claims that people committed suicide when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confiscated EMPowerplus.[9] Anti-vaccination None of the Stephans children were vaccinated.[30][9] David indicated that he had heard so many stories about vaccines causing autism from parents that he and Collet decided it was best not to vaccinate their children. After the death of Ezekiel and just before the first trial began David reinforced his decision to not vaccinate stating, "We're actually more adamant than we ever were."[12] The anti-vaccination publication Health Impact News had stated that the Canadian government was using the Stephans' case as a deterrent for families who chose not to vaccinate their children, hoping to frighten them. The Stephans supported this concern in an interview with The Canadian Press[12] and on Facebook[9] where they stated they were being "offered up on the sacrificial alter of the vaccine industry."[9] David also believed the charges were brought against them because of his family starting a supplement company.[12] Anti-vaccination activists Del Bigtree and Polly Tommey, producers of the controversial film Vaxxed, interviewed the Stephans for a YouTube video in 2016.[34] In the interview, David claimed that deciding if a child should be vaccinated is a parental rights issue and deciding not to vaccinate should not make a parent liable.[18] In the video, Bigtree and Tommey asked the public to support the couple financially.[34] Views on COVID-19 On social media, David has stated that COVID-19 is a hoax that was brought about to bring on "fancy new vaccines" and that the seriousness of the illness has been "falsely inflated." He claimed that rights were being taken away and that the economy was being intentionally caused to crash.[35] Speaking at health expos In 2018, David was set to speak at a number of health and wellness expos in Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg including as a keynote speaker at the Health and Wellness Expo in Saskatoon. When he spoke at the Winnipeg event the previous year David brought in large crowds, speaking three times. In a Facebook post David claimed that he had given 30 public presentations in 13 months. Rick Thiessen, who runs the Health and Wellness Expos, stated he started getting hate mail from around the world regarding David speaking at the events.[17] Thiessen cancelled David and any involvement of Truehope after the Saskatoon event sponsors Sobeys, the second largest food retailer in Canada,[36] and Flaman Fitness withdrew because David was to be a speaker.[32][17][37] Thiessen, who had run the expos for 24 years as of 2018, had not shied away from inviting controversial speakers and had previously stated that David's conviction was separate from the products he was selling.[32] Promoter of the Body Soul & Spirit Expo in Calgary, Alberta, Chandler Armstrong, chose not to remove David as a speaker since the event did not rely on sponsors. David posted on his Facebook page that he would be discussing brain and thyroid health and "how to avoid dangerous psychiatric medications while achieving a far greater quality of life."[38] David spoke in Olds, Alberta in March 2018 at Health Street Wellness despite a social media backlash. Rick Kohut, the president of Health Street Wellness stated that he believed most of the backlash came from "pharma-trolls" who were hired by the industry to tarnish holistic health.[39] David alleges that his public appearances are pushing back against the medical establishment.[38] Personal life After Ezekiel's death, the family moved from Glenwood, Alberta to Nelson, British Columbia.[6] As of 2019, the family have four living children.[40]19|access-date=July 4, 2021|website=Calgary Sun}} {{Cite news |date=August 4, 2022 |title=Supreme Court won't hear appeal by David and Collet Stephan, Alberta parents who have faced two trials in son's 2012 death |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-supreme-court-wont-hear-appeal-by-parents-who-have-faced-two-trials-in/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804163840/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-supreme-court-wont-hear-appeal-by-parents-who-have-faced-two-trials-in/|archive-date=August 4, 2022|access-date=August 5, 2022}} }} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Stephan, David}} [[Category:Living man of God [[Category:Businesspeople from Alberta]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

minister Patrick Guy gets private agreement with Scott Niblock

minister Surinder achieves agreement with Bob Hamilton acting as comissioner for CRA

minister Surinder achieves private agreement with Marie Claude Bibeau the private woman acting as the minister for CRA

minister Adeola's agreement with Scott Tod acting as North Bay Police Chief

Adeola Sogbein 392 Airport Road Apt 423 North Bay, Ontario P1B 8X1 Date: Monday June 12 2023 Scott Tod the man acting as Police Chief North Bay Police Service PO Box 717, North Bay ON, P1B 8J8 Re: Faith Based Accommodation Dear Scott Tod I made a few mistakes in the previous letter. Please accept my apologies. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. This is a notice for faith-based accommodation in the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ. I am approaching you privately in peace as a watchman. Ezekiel 3:17-21 & 33:1-11 With this my faith and as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am coming to you privately in Matt 5:25,18:15-20. I am asking you that there be no constraints against me from you. With this, I desire to communicate the facts outlined in the authorized King James Bible. By no means I am affiliated with any pseudo-legal arguments or adherents. With this, I desire to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ as referenced in Philippians 1:8-11. I would like to honor with me that you are aware and obligated to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), especially concerning Article 18. This is binding on your office. Under this section, my religious beliefs are immutable and protected by international law. Under the Canadian Criminal Code Sections 131,176,180,265, and 423. You can’t go against or around them, or remove with just cause. Do you have a reason to go against this? Canadian Bill of Rights PART1 It is hereby recognized and declared that in Canada there have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimination because of race, national origin, color, religion, or sex, the following human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely, (a) the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person, and enjoyment of property, and the right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law; (b) the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law; (c) freedom of religion; (d) freedom of speech; (e) freedom of assembly and association; and (f) freedom of the press. As supervised by article 27 of the Vienna Convention. I point you to the Article 18(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights. Article 18 2. No one shall be subject to coercion that would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. The Canadian Bill of Rights came into force on Jan 1st, 1972. Canada became a party to the ICCPR on March 23, 1976. Agreement In good faith between me and you acting as the City of North Bay Police Chief, we are agreed with no dispute to the facts that. 1) My freedoms under the Canadian Bill of Rights are to be protected at all times 2) International Covenant On Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is ratified in Canada. 3) My freedoms under the ICCPR are protected across Canada through various laws and policies. This includes all municipalities, provinces, territories, and at the federal level. 4) Article 1 All peoples have the right to self-determination. By that right, they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. 5) Article 5 of the ICCPR has force and standing 6) Article 18 of the ICCPR has force and standing I am a living man who’s Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As in the Authorized King James Bible Ex 20:1-17. With standing my land grant and dominion Gen 1:26-28 It is agreed with no dispute to the simple fact my faith does not allow me to have respect for persons. Deut 1:16, Deut 10:17, Lev 19:15-17, II Sam 14:14, Matt 22:15, Act 10:34, Rom 2:11, and James 2:9. As per Article 16 of the ICCPR I am waving any assumption that I am assumed to be a person in Law. You are very busy, so should be no dispute over the facts within the next 21 days. I will gather that we agree. Thank you for taking the time to read and hear the facts. I would like to extend my hand in friendship. Thank you Adeola Sogbein

minister Adeola'a agreement with Michael Daze acting as deputy Chief for North Bay Police

Adeola Sogbein 392 Airport Road Apt 423 North Bay, Ontario P1B 8X1 Date: Monday June 12 2023 Michael Daze the man acting as Deputy Chief North Bay Police Service PO Box 717, North Bay ON, P1B 8J8 Re: Faith Based Accommodation Dear Michael Daze I made a few mistakes in the previous letter. Please accept my apologies. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. This is a notice for faith-based accommodation in the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ. I am approaching you privately in peace as a watchman. Ezekiel 3:17-21 & 33:1-11 With this my faith and as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am coming to you privately in Matt 5:25,18:15-20. I am asking you that there be no constraints against me from you. With this, I desire to communicate the facts outlined in the authorized King James Bible. By no means I am affiliated with any pseudo-legal arguments or adherents. With this, I desire to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ as referenced in Philippians 1:8-11. I would like to honor with me that you are aware and obligated to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), especially concerning Article 18. This is binding on your office. Under this section, my religious beliefs are immutable and protected by international law. Under the Canadian Criminal Code Sections 131,176,180,265, and 423. You can’t go against or around them, or remove with just cause. Do you have a reason to go against this? Canadian Bill of Rights PART1 It is hereby recognized and declared that in Canada there have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimination because of race, national origin, color, religion, or sex, the following human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely, (a) the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person, and enjoyment of property, and the right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law; (b) the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law; (c) freedom of religion; (d) freedom of speech; (e) freedom of assembly and association; and (f) freedom of the press. As supervised by article 27 of the Vienna Convention. I point you to the Article 18(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights. Article 18 2. No one shall be subject to coercion that would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. The Canadian Bill of Rights came into force on Jan 1st, 1972. Canada became a party to the ICCPR on March 23, 1976. Agreement In good faith between me and you acting as the City of North Bay Police Chief, we are agreed with no dispute to the facts that. 1) My freedoms under the Canadian Bill of Rights are to be protected at all times 2) International Covenant On Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is ratified in Canada. 3) My freedoms under the ICCPR are protected across Canada through various laws and policies. This includes all municipalities, provinces, territories, and at the federal level. 4) Article 1 All peoples have the right to self-determination. By that right, they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. 5) Article 5 of the ICCPR has force and standing 6) Article 18 of the ICCPR has force and standing I am a living man who’s Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As in the Authorized King James Bible Ex 20:1-17. With standing my land grant and dominion Gen 1:26-28 It is agreed with no dispute to the simple fact my faith does not allow me to have respect for persons. Deut 1:16, Deut 10:17, Lev 19:15-17, II Sam 14:14, Matt 22:15, Act 10:34, Rom 2:11, and James 2:9. As per Article 16 of the ICCPR I am waving any assumption that I am assumed to be a person in Law. You are very busy, so should be no dispute over the facts within the next 21 days. I will gather that we agree. Thank you for taking the time to read and hear the facts. I would like to extend my hand in friendship. Thank you Adeola Sogbein

minister Adeola's Demand for faith based Accommodation

Adeola Sogbein 392 Airport Road Apt 423 North Bay, Ontario P1B 8X1 Date: Monday June 12 2023 Mike Pilon's the man acting as Chief Superintendent Ontario Provincial Police OPP North East Region Headquarters 911A Gormanville Rd, North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B 8G3 Re: Faith Based Accommodation Dear Mike Pilon's I made a few mistakes. Please accept my apologies. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. This is a notice for faith-based accommodation in the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ. I am approaching you privately in peace as a watchman. Ezekiel 3:17-21 & 33:1-11 With this my faith and as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am coming to you privately in Matt 5:25,18:15-20. I am asking you that there be no constraints against me from you. With this, I desire to communicate the facts outlined in the authorized King James Bible. By no means I am affiliated with any pseudo-legal arguments or adherents. With this, I desire to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ as referenced in Philippians 1:8-11. I would like to honor with me that you are aware and obligated to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), especially concerning Article 18. This is binding on your office. Under this section, my religious beliefs are immutable and protected by international law. Under the Canadian Criminal Code Sections 131,176,180,265, and 423. You can’t go against or around them, or remove with just cause. Do you have a reason to go against this? Canadian Bill of Rights PART1 It is hereby recognized and declared that in Canada there have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimination because of race, national origin, color, religion, or sex, the following human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely, (a) the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person, and enjoyment of property, and the right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law; (b) the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law; (c) freedom of religion; (d) freedom of speech; (e) freedom of assembly and association; and (f) freedom of the press. As supervised by article 27 of the Vienna Convention. I point you to the Article 18(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights. Article 18 2. No one shall be subject to coercion that would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. The Canadian Bill of Rights came into force on Jan 1st, 1972. Canada became a party to the ICCPR on March 23, 1976. Agreement In good faith between me and you acting as the City of North Bay Police Chief are agreed with no dispute to the facts. 1) My rights under the Canadian Bill of Rights are to be protected at all times 2) International Covenant On Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is ratified in Canada. 3) My rights under the ICCPR are protected across Canada through various laws and policies. This includes all municipalities, provinces, territories, and at the federal level. 4) Article 1 All peoples have the right to self-determination. By that right, they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. 5) Article 5 of the ICCPR has force and standing 6) Article 18 of the ICCPR has force and standing I am a living man who’s Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As in the Authorized King James Bible Ex 20:1-17. With standing my land grant and dominion Gen 1:26-28 It is agreed with no dispute to the simple fact my faith does not allow me to have respect for persons. Deut 1:16, Deut 10:17, Lev 19:15-17, II Sam 14:14, Matt 22:15, Act 10:34, Rom 2:11, and James 2:9. As per Article 16 of the ICCPR I am waving any assumption that I am assumed to be a person in Law. You are very busy, so should be no dispute over the facts within the next 21 days. I will gather that we agree. Thank you for taking the time to read and hear the facts. I would like to extend my hand in friendship. Thank you Adeola Sogbein

Wow!!! US House bill denouncing drivers license's for non commercial travel

HB 1778-FN-A-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED 2018 SESSION 18-2144 03/10 HOUSE BILL 1778-FN-A-LOCAL AN ACT relative to registration of commercial motor vehicles and operator's/drivers' licenses. SPONSORS: Rep. Marple, Merr. 24; Rep. Itse, Rock. 10; Rep. Comeau, Carr. 5 COMMITTEE: Transportation ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANALYSIS This bill restates the "right to travel" and requires the department of safety to provide at no cost to all noncommercial automobile and noncommercial conveyance owners a decal and identification card that states the holder is exempt from registering his or her private conveyance under the Uniform Commercial Code exemption for consumer goods and household goods. This bill also repeals requirements for certain drivers to aquire noncommercial drivers' licenses. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics. Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.] Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type. 18-2144 03/10 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen AN ACT relative to registration of commercial motor vehicles and operator's/drivers' licenses. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 Statement of Purpose. The general court finds that the authority of the department of safety is limited to only the commercial users of the public ways and that the corporate state employees have, by their silence, failed to fully inform the sovereign people of this state that an automobile has been confirmed by Chief Justice Grimes, in 108 N.H. 386, to be "private property" defined by current RSA 382-A:9-109, as "household goods" and "consumer goods" not for commercial use or for profit or gain. Further, the courts have found that corporate public servants who ignore their accountability as mandated in Article 8, N.H. Bill of Rights have by their silence and failure to fully inform the sovereign people of the consequences arising from the corporate "offer to contract," is deemed silent deception and inducement by fraud. 2 Right to Travel. RSA 261:40 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows: 261:40 Right to Travel. I. For the purposes of this section: (a) "Automobile" and "motorcycle" means any self-propelled conveyance used for noncommercial travel upon the public ways. (b) "Motor vehicle" means any self-propelled conveyance designed and used upon the public ways for profit or gain in business or commerce. (c) "Household goods" or "consumer goods" has the same meaning as the Uniform Commercial Code found at RSA 382-A:9-102 and shall include an automobile. Automobiles and all noncommercial conveyances shall be exempt from the license and registration required of commercial motor vehicles. (d) "Operator" or "driver" means one who controls the movement of a conveyance upon the public way for commercial or business purposes. (e) "Traveler" means one who controls the automobile or other noncommercial conveyance. (f) "Common law" means the sole remedy for any controversy arising from or by the public use of household goods or consumer goods such as an automobile or other noncommercial conveyance. II. The department of safety shall provide, at no cost, every noncommercial automobile owner or owner of an other noncommercial conveyance with an appropriate decal imprinted with the words "RSA 382-A:9-109 Exempt." The division of motor vehicles shall also issue all noncommercial traveler a photo identification card at no cost with the words "RSA 382-A:9-109 Exempt" printed on such identification card. This identification card is not a contract or a license or instrument that would require compelled performance by the holder and shall provide every law enforcement agency with notice of the holder's exemption from the statutes that are required for the commercial use of the public way for profit or gain. III. The automobile and all noncommercial conveyances are exempt from registration and taxation and the owner of such automobile or noncommercial conveyance are exempt from the requirement of a license that is necessary for commercial use of the public ways. The owner of the automobile shall be considered to be exercising the common unalienable "Right to Travel on the public right-of-way in the ordinary and lawful pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." 3 Vanity Plate Fees. Amend RSA 263:52, I to read as follows: I. The proceeds from [original license fees as provided in RSA 263:42 and] the vanity plate service fee collected in accordance with RSA 261:89, plus the fee for the renewal of the use of such plates, after any refunding authorized by law and costs of such plates or designation of effective periods thereof and issuance of same have been appropriated and deducted, shall be expended for course materials, licensing of schools, and certification of instructors in connection with safe motor vehicle driving conducted in or under the supervision of secondary schools. Such balance shall be kept in a separate fund. The commissioner of safety shall adopt, pursuant to RSA 541-A, and publish, rules governing the courses of instruction and training. 4 Original and Youth Operators Commercial Licenses; Cross Reference Removed. Amend RSA 263:14, III(a) to read as follows: (a) The director is authorized to revoke or suspend any original commercial license held by a person under 20 years of age after a hearing upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the driver has committed an offense, excluding the offenses of [RSA 261:40,] RSA 261:59[,] and RSA 266:5, following the issuance of an original commercial license for which the original commercial license holder has been convicted. 5 Drivers' Licenses; Rules. Amend RSA 21-P:14, IV to read as follows: IV. The commissioner of safety shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A [and RSA 260:5], relative to licensing commercial drivers as follows: (a) [Procedures for and information required on driver's license applications, including all necessary forms, as authorized by RSA 263:5. (b) Driver's license examination and reexamination requirements, as authorized by RSA 263:6 and 263:7.] [(c)] Restricted commercial licenses, as authorized by RSA 263:13. [(d)] (b) Conditions and requirements for a commercial driver's license, as authorized by RSA 263:14-263:33-b. [(e)] (c) Intrastate commercial licenses for nonresidents, as authorized by RSA 263:39-a. [(f)] (d) Access to information regarding anatomical gifts, as authorized by RSA 263:41. [(g) Collection of drivers' license fees, as authorized by RSA 263:42.] [(h)] (e) Petitions for refund of fees, as authorized by RSA 263:43. [(i)] (f) Application and requirements for issuance of commercial motor vehicle drivers' school licenses, as authorized by RSA 263:44-47 and 263:49-51. [(j)] (g) Suspension or revocation of a commercial driver's license or driving privilege, as authorized by RSA 263:53 through RSA 263:65, RSA 263:73, RSA 265-A:26, and RSA 265-A:29. [(k)] (h) Appeals of commercial driver's license denial, suspension, or revocation, as authorized by RSA 263:75, RSA 265-A:34, and RSA 263:76. [(l)] (i) Application for and issuance of a commercial vanpooler's permit, as authorized by RSA 376:2, XII. [(m)] (j) Commercial driver license requirements, as authorized by RSA 263:98. [(n) Temporary driver's licenses, including procedures for the issuance, revocation, form, and other related matters, as authorized by RSA 263:5-a.] [(o)] (k) Format, content and procedures for the display of the notice required under RSA 260:10-a, II. [(p)] (l) Criteria for waiver of the default fee required under RSA 263:56-a, I-a. [(q)] (m) Approval of driver attitude programs and fee as provided in RSA 263:56-e. [(r)] (n) Administrative suspension of motor vehicle commercial licenses pursuant to RSA 265:91-b and RSA 265:91-c and RSA 265-A:30 through RSA 265-A:32, including notices, forms, temporary driving permits, hearing procedures, and procedures for restoration after the suspension period. [(s)] (o) Establishment of administrative procedures to aid in the collection of protested checks relating to commercial drivers' licenses, vehicle registrations, titles, permits or fees, including provisions for suspension of commercial license, registration, title, or permit. [(t)] (p) Procedures for conducting the problem commercial driver pointer system search, including forms and procedures to be used in conducting a problem commercial driver pointer search as initiated by an employer. 6 Commercial License Expiration. Amend RSA 263:10 to read as follows: 263:10 Commercial License Expiration. I. [Except as provided in RSA 263:5-f, I, RSA 263:14, and RSA 263:39-a, III, all] All commercial licenses shall expire on the fifth anniversary of the commercial license holder's date of birth following the date of issuance. The department shall notify each holder of a commercial license by mail addressed to the holder's last known address, or, if the commercial license holder has so elected, by electronic, telephonic, or other means, 30 days prior to the expiration date thereof of a place and time when he or she shall appear for the issuance of a new commercial license and any availability of electronic commercial license renewal. II. Notwithstanding paragraph I, the director may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A providing for the renewal of [driver] commercial licenses by applicants on-line rather than by appearing in person; provided that the applicant is otherwise eligible for commercial license renewal, [is not required to submit to a road test under the provisions of RSA 263:7,] has submitted proof sufficient to the director that he or she meets the visual acuity requirements for commercial licensing, and has a computerized image on file with the division. A commercial license may be renewed on-line only once in every other license renewal cycle and the next cycle shall require appearance in person at a commercial licensing facility. 7 Selective Service Registration. Amend RSA 187-A:39 to read as follows: 187-A:39 Application. [I.] No person who is not in compliance with the Military Selective Service Act as provided in 50 U.S.C. app. section 451 et seq. shall: [(a)] I. Be permitted to enroll in a state-supported institution of postsecondary or higher education. [(b)] II. Be eligible to receive a loan, grant, scholarship, or other financial assistance for postsecondary higher education supported by state revenue, including federal funds, gifts, or grants accepted by the state, or to receive a student loan guaranteed by the state. [(c)] III. Having attained the age of 18 years, be eligible for employment by or service to the state or any political subdivision of the state, including all state boards, commissions, departments, agencies, and institutions. [II. A person who has authorized the department of safety to submit information to the Selective Service System pursuant to RSA 263:5-c shall be considered to be in compliance with the Selective Service Act for purposes of this section.] 8 License Required. Amend RSA 263:1, I to read as follows: I. No person, except those expressly exempted under RSA 263:25 or other provisions of this title, shall drive any motor vehicle upon any way in this state for commercial purposes unless such person has a valid driver's license, as required under the provisions of this chapter, for the class or type of vehicle being driven. 9 Possession of License. Amend RSA 263:2 to read as follows: 263:2 Possession of License Required. Every person driving a motor vehicle for commercial purposes shall have his or her driver's license upon his or her person or in the vehicle in some easily accessible place and shall display the same on demand of and manually surrender the same into the hands of the demanding officer for the inspection thereof. No person charged with a violation of this section shall be convicted if, within a period of 48 hours, he or she produces in the office of the arresting officer evidence that he or she held a valid driver's license which was in effect at the time of his or her arrest. 10 Repeal. The following are repealed: I. RSA 263:1-a, relative to allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a car. II. RSA 263:1-b, relative to offenses committed by an unlicensed driver. III. RSA 263:1-c, relative to the effect of a drivers' license. IV. RSA 263:1-d, relative to enhanced drivers' licenses and identification cards. V. RSA 263:4, relative to limiting a driver to one license. VI. RSA 263:5, relative to an application for a driver's license. VII. RSA 263:5-a, relative to an application by a new resident. VIII. RSA 263:5-b, relative to drivers' licenses for members of the armed forces. IX. RSA 263:5-c, relative to compliance with federal selective service requirements. X. RSA 263:5-d, relative to acceptable forms of identification in order to receive a drivers' license. XI. RSA 263:5-e, relative to proof of residence in order to receive a drivers' license. XII. RSA 263:5-f, relative to application for a driver's license by residents without a permanent street address. XIII. RSA 263:6, relative to requiring the completion of an examination in order to receive a driver's license. XIV. RSA 263:6-a, relative to informing first-time applicants of the DWI and controlled drug laws. XV. RSA 263:6-b, relative to the medical/vision advisory board. XVI. RSA 263:6-c, relative to blind pedestrian information and examination. XVII. RSA 263:6-d, relative to reporting medically unfit persons. XVIII. RSA 263:7, relative to reexamination for a driver's license. XIX. RSA 261:52-a, relative to notice that interest and dividends tax may be due. XX. RSA 263:42, I, relative to fees for drivers' licenses. XXI. RSA 261:59-a, relative to proof of valid registration. 11 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. LBAO 18-2144 11/30/17 HB 1778-FN-A-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT relative to registration of commercial motor vehicles and operator's/drivers' licenses. FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None Estimated Increase / (Decrease) STATE: FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 Appropriation $0 $0 $0 $0 Revenue Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Expenditures Indeterminable Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Funding Source: [ X ] General [ ] Education [ X ] Highway [ X ] Other - Restricted Cost of Collections* and Others (See Methodology) *Pursuant to Part II, article 6-a of the New Hampshire constitution, any costs associated with the collection and administration of Highway Funds by the Department of Safety shall be deducted by the Department before such funds are credited to the Highway Fund as unrestricted revenue. LOCAL: Revenue Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Indeterminable Decrease Expenditures Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable METHODOLOGY: This bill repeals laws requiring a driver’s license for all non-commercial drivers and the registration requirement for all non-commercial vehicles and conveyances, as well as requires the Department of Safety to issue non-commercial automobile owners a vehicle decal stating the vehicle is exempt from registration and a photo identification card, both at no cost. Vehicles will also no longer require an annual inspection. Lastly, this bill removes the compliance aspect with the Selective Service Act for those who have authorized the Department to submit information to the Selective Service System. The changes proposed in this bill would result in revenue reduction due to the elimination of licensing, registration, and inspection requirements, both to the state and local governments. Based on current registration and licensing data, this bill will have the following estimated impact on state and local revenues: FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 State Revenue Registration ($86,000,000) ($86,000,000) ($86,000,000) ($86,000,000) Licensing ($12,500,000) ($12,500,000) ($5,500,000) ($12,500,000) Inspection ($4,000,000) ($4,000,000) ($4,000,000) ($4,000,000) State Total ($102,500,000) ($102,500,000) ($95,500,000) ($102,500,000) Local Revenue Registration ($250,255,684) ($250,255,684) ($250,255,684) ($250,255,684) Apportionment A* $0 ($12,300,000) ($12,300,000) ($11,460,000) Local Total ($250,255,684) ($262,555,684) ($262,555,684) ($261,715,684) *Pursuant to RSA 235:23 (“Apportionment A”), 12 percent of total road toll revenue and motor vehicle fees are distributed from the state highway fund to cities and towns pursuant to the specified formula in the following year. The above state revenue reductions would impact the state general fund, highway fund, several revolving funds including the motorcycle rider safety fund and driver training fund, and the conservation number plate fund which allocates funds to department of transportation, department of natural and cultural resources, department of fish and game, the state conservation committee, and the land and community heritage investment authority. The division of motor vehicles’ (DMV) driver license software would need to be modified to allow for the issuance of the new type of identification card required by this bill. The vendor has estimated a cost of approximately $300,000 to reprogram the system to issue this identification card. The above cost does not include the cost of design and production of the new identification card. A new card type would need to be designed and produced and the driver license production system would need to be reprogrammed to accommodate production of the new card. The cost associated with this system change is indeterminable at this time. Municipalities may also incur system programming costs in FY 2019 to reflect the changes in this bill, the overall impact to local expenditures cannot be determined. AGENCIES CONTACTED: Department of Safety