Witness Testimony

François Amalega, a former tenured mathematics professor at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, testified that during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic he began publicly questioning government health measures and promoting civil disobedience. After posting content on Facebook and participating in demonstrations, including curfew protests and appearing in mainstream media coverage, he faced disciplinary action from his employer, including unpaid suspensions. He described meetings with school administrators and faculty intended to address his public statements. In February 2021, citing pressure and disagreement with institutional expectations that he keep his views private, he resigned from his position.Following his resignation, Amalega stated that he devoted himself to peaceful protest activities against mask mandates, curfews, and other public health measures. He deliberately sought fines as a form of civil disobedience and reported accumulating approximately $98,000 in penalties. He described multiple arrests and four periods of imprisonment, including seven days for refusing to wear a mask in municipal court and approximately three months and three weeks related to alleged breaches of release conditions restricting proximity to the Prime Minister. He testified that he was acquitted in two trials and convicted in two others, resulting in probation conditions to keep the peace and avoid disturbing public order.
Amalega further described conditions of detention that he characterized as discriminatory, including limited privileges and cell searches. He stated that the government continues to pursue enforcement actions and has proposed community service in lieu of unpaid fines, which he has declined. Throughout his testimony, he framed his actions as principled civil resistance motivated by a commitment to critical inquiry, freedom of expression, and religious faith, and emphasized that his protests were peaceful and aimed at provoking public debate regarding pandemic governance.