Cochranites Ron Voss and Deborah Murphy have presented a framed copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to Mayor Jeff Genung and have requested it be displayed in the town's council chambers.

They also presented Genung with a personal letter to mayor and council from former Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford expressing his concern over violations of the Canadian charter of rights.

Voss says they share Peckford's concern that the charter and the rights of Canadians have been ignored throughout the pandemic.

"One has to be disappointed, of course, if the charter has not been that helpful in the last two years, because you can hardly get to the courts. The courts won't hear you. Justice delayed is justice denied."

Voss says the Apr. 27 meeting lasted about 10 minutes.

"The mayor was very gracious in our meeting," says Voss. "He could have kicked us out. I mean, we took some photos, and it was a good meeting with him."

Peckford played a key role in bringing Canadian premiers together to sign the Patriation Agreement that lead to the Constitution Act of 1982, on which the charter of rights is found.

He has given many speeches and interviews defending the charter, including one on Feb. 15 in Ottawa for the Freedom Convoy.

"This Charter is now being violated by provinces across Canada with mandates that violate a citizen's freedom to assembly and associate, to earn a livelihood, and to have the right to security of the person," states the letter from Peckford.

It was the second time Murphy and Voss met with the mayor. In an hour-long meeting on Feb. 28, they asked the town to suspend the practice of requiring town employees, as well as new hires, to reveal their vaccination status to be employed by the town.

"We expressed concern that what was being done was in violation of the charter, and at that time, I think I gave the mayor a simple copy of the charter and said it would be great if this was on the wall of the town's chambers."

Mayor Genung committed to removing the stipulation, and it was.

Voss says the idea of presenting a framed charter to the town was triggered when he attended a public hearing on Feb. 14. He saw the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and believed there should be a copy of the charter right below because he says it's the supreme law of the land.

As of yet, Mayor Genung says he hasn't decided where the framed charter of rights will be displayed.