Witness Testimony

Shelley Overwater, a practicing lawyer in Winkler, Manitoba, testified regarding the death of her 89-year-old father, Patrick Rice, in December 2020. Although he had previously been diagnosed with an aneurysm and died suddenly at home without COVID symptoms, she stated that the provincial medical examiner declared his death a COVID-19 death without autopsy or examination. She later discovered through affidavit evidence filed in court that his death was recorded as COVID-19 in official statistics, which she believes contributed to inaccurate reporting.
She also described a personal medical incident in March 2021 when she sought emergency care for chest pain and high blood pressure. She testified that hospital staff focused on COVID testing and refused treatment unless she consented to testing. After declining, she stated she was dismissed without being informed of her test results or receiving substantive medical assessment.
Overwater further testified about workplace vaccine mandates implemented at her former law firm, where clerical staff and an articling student were required to disclose vaccination status. She opposed the policy, particularly the ultimatum threatening termination for non-compliance, and ultimately resigned. She now represents clients challenging COVID-related fines, including Quarantine Act penalties totaling thousands of dollars, which she argues were disproportionately applied.