Brinton was threatened by Williams with suspension and referral to the provincial Judicial Council after she chose not to disclose her COVID-19 vaccination status in late 2021. She filed her claim in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on September 29, 2023, seeking damages for the intentional violation of her judicial independence and medical privacy. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is providing the legal representation.

On November 1, 2021, Chief Judge Williams sent out an email to all judges stating that “only fully-vaccinated judges will be assigned to sit in our courtrooms.” Four days later, on November 25, 2021, she issued a public statement announcing, “All Provincial Court judges presiding in courtrooms, both now and in the future, are fully-vaccinated.”

On February 22, 2022, Chief Judge Williams wrote to Brinton to state that she would not approve the continuation of the short-term leave unless Brinton provided evidence of her disability. She also wrote that if Brinton continued to refuse to disclose her vaccination status, she would be “considered non-vaccinated and unable to preside over in-person trial and sentencings in the Court Room,” and that she would have “no recourse other than to suspend (Brinton) and refer the matter to the Judicial Council.”

Brinton’s lawsuit names the Honourable Pamela S. Williams, the Office of the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia, the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia, and the Attorney General of Nova Scotia representing His Majesty the King in Right of the Province of Nova Scotia, as defendants.

https://www.westernstandard.news/news/nova-scotia-judge-sues-former-chief-justice-for-requirement-to-disclose-vaccine-status/52642