“The Press Release was not an announcement that Mr. Justice Donegan ruled against that notion. Specific arguments included a 1992 press release issued by the Attorney General, which Blackmore argued was clear that the province didn’t see polygamy as illegal and instead would allow the practice. Oler did not specifically raise any arguments as he has self-represented throughout the proceedings but amicus to the court, Joe Doyle did raise general challenges in regards to abuse of process. “I don’t encourage anybody to practice polygamy but I know I that don’t discourage anyone that has a religious commitment, no matter what it is, throughout this country.”Įntering court Friday, Blackmore’s legal counsel sought a stay of proceedings for alleged abuse of process by the Attorney General of British Columbia in the mid-2000s, and constitutional protections under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. “I didn’t know it was illegal, we got a definite letter from the Attorney General at the time which said that our conduct was protected under the Charter,” Winston Blackmore told media following the proceedings. Supreme Court Justice Sheri Donegan dismissed all general and constitutional challenges made by guilty polygamists Winston Blackmore and James Oler.īoth found guilty of practising polygamy in July 2017 by Donegan, Blackmore is now convicted of having 24 wives, while Oler is also convicted of having 5 wives. In a ground-breaking decision Friday, B.C.

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