MOOSE JAW — The latest court appearance by community activist Tannis Brideau was just as wild and entertaining as her previous times there, although this time, she had a much bigger audience for her theatrics.
Brideau, 49, appeared in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Nov. 19, to respond to her latest offence of allegedly failing to attend court in September. This was in relation to other charges from April, where she allegedly threatened and assaulted court staff.
Those charges are separate from — but slightly connected to — offences she committed between Oct. 1, 2023, and Nov. 1, 2023, where she allegedly harassed people at the Civic Centre Plaza, Golden West Radio Station and Prairie South School Division. Those charges are currently being tried in a trial.
Judge Brian Hendrickson asked Brideau if she understood her latest charge of failing to appear in court. She replied that she was supposed to appear by phone on Sept. 23, but the court called her at a different time and she wasn’t prepared, which is why she was charged with allegedly not showing up.
The judge asked her several more times whether she understood the charge and even read the charge again, but she was still agitated and said she didn’t know anything about the new charges.
Crown prosecutor Tony Gerein told Judge Hendrickson — both have been handling Brideau’s trial — that he was willing to provide the activist with the disclosure about her most recent offences but wanted a Muirhead order imposed. This would prevent her from sharing the files online, although she could provide them to a lawyer.
However, Brideau fiercely resisted the suggestion of a Muirhead order, saying it was “in the public’s best interest” that all the information be made available for residents to read. Her voice rising, she continued by saying that all her actions to stand up for people were in response to the government’s pandemic measures and the harm the mandates caused.
She pointed out that her reason for demonstrating in the first place was to promote the National Citizens’ Inquiry, while she thought that society would be “in a much better place” if the government were restrained.
“… they would start remembering that they work for us! We the people!” Brideau roared, with several people in the room muttering their approval and many chuckling at her antics, forcing the court sheriff to silence people.
Even with a court sheriff at her side telling her to calm down, the activist continued to yell and rant, prompting Gerein to ask Judge Hendrickson to hold her in contempt of court and remand her to jail. While the judge didn’t do that, he reminded Brideau to show civility. He also asked her whether she agreed with the Muirhead order, to which she said no.
Gerein then said he would speak with the Moose Jaw Crown office about arranging a time for Brideau to come read the files and watch the video. However, she pointed out that there was a restraining order against her about being in the building because of her alleged incidents involving court staff.
The Crown prosecutor replied that her conditions could be modified so she could visit the Crown’s office. He then encouraged her to call him so he could arrange a meeting at the office.
Brideau’s matters have been adjourned to Friday, Dec. 13.
