Grus Sentencing – Affidavits Needed

Update: Grus Defence Affidavits

Template Now Available

To assist in creating your draft affidavit, consider using these templates.

The Draft Affidavit in support of Detective Grus has two parts – a Draft Affidavit, and a Draft Letter to the Tribunal Officer that will be an attachment to the affidavit.

The instructions are at the top of each template – the Affidavit and the Letter.

Use your own words, make it heartfelt.

Affidavit Template V2

Letter Template V2

You can do this! Your affidavit is valuable no matter who you are.

Update: Saturday, August 15, 2025 – 9am ET

The response has been outstanding — many drafts are already reaching the defence team, showing we are united and determined.

SEND YOUR DRAFTS NOW – and remember this is the sentencing. Your drafts should stress the reasons why you believe the judge should not penalize Detective Grus. For instance…

• A heavy sentence will cause police officers to be deterred from self-initiating any investigations because they see that their on duty, good faith diligence might destroy them, their careers, their families.
• A heavy sentence will undermine the public’s faith in policing, in the independence and non-political nature of the police.
• Any other reason you can think of.

This project is strong, growing, and will make a real difference.

Original Article here…

Urgent Call to Canadians, including Serving & Former Police Officers

Affidavit Testimony Needed for Sentencing of Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus

Sentencing Hearing: September 3 to 5, 2025, Kanata, Ontario

Affidavits Needed Now: Canadians Must Speak for Detective Helen Grus – and for All Canadian Police Officers

This is an urgent call to Canadians – including serving and retired police officers – to support Detective Helen Grus by preparing a simple sworn affidavit for her upcoming sentencing hearing.

The defence team will help ensure your affidavit is relevant, admissible, and properly formatted. It’s a straightforward process – and your voice is needed not only to support Detective Grus, but to stand against a dangerous precedent that threatens the independence and integrity of every police officer in Canada.

(Note: PDF Copy of this Article download here)

A heavy sentence – or firing – will send a chilling message to all serving officers: do not use your professional judgment, experience, or investigative initiative to pursue crimes that carry “political and societal ramifications’ or involve ‘public officials’ as suspects. 

If you do, you too may be charged, convicted, and professionally destroyed.

Background

While on duty in January 2022, Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus – a respected member of the unit responsible for investigating infant deaths occurring outside of hospitals – began looking into a troubling spike in unexplained infant deaths, reported to be three times higher than normal. She gathered information, reviewed police records related to the deaths, and began considering whether the mothers’ COVID-19 vaccination status might be a relevant factor.

Like thousands of Canadian police officers, Detective Grus had previously been commended for taking initiative and self-starting investigations. Every day, officers across the country independently initiate criminal and other investigations – without needing prior approval.

But in February 2022, Detective Grus was suspended, investigated, and later charged and convicted with ‘Discreditable Conduct’ under the Ontario Police Services Act.

The written Tribunal decision states that Detective Grus was convicted for self-initiating an investigation without permission “due to the political and societal ramifications” of her inquiries. The written decision also found her guilty of “unauthorized criminal negligence inquiries on public officials.”

In other words, the Tribunal found that even though Detective Grus made her inquiries while on duty, and believed she was fulfilling her lawful responsibilities under her Oath of Office – she (and all police officers) must now ask for permission before investigating crimes that have “political and societal ramifications”, and crimes potentially committed by “public officials.”

Why This Matters to All Canadians

The case of Detective Helen Grus is no longer just about one officer. It is about whether police in Canada remain free to follow the evidence wherever it leads – or whether politics now dictates which crimes can be investigated, and which cannot.

The Tribunal’s written decision has established a dangerous and far-reaching precedent: that police officers must seek permission before investigating potential crimes involving government officials or matters with “political and societal ramifications.” This strikes at the very heart of police independence and the rule of law.

If this precedent stands:

• Investigations involving powerful individuals or politically sensitive topics may be shut down before they begin.
• Frontline officers will hesitate to act on their training, experience, and judgment for fear of being disciplined or fired.
• The public’s trust in law enforcement as an impartial institution will be further eroded.

Canadians must understand: this is not a local labour or internal discipline issue. It is a national concern involving constitutional principles, the impartial application of justice, and the core function of policing in a democratic society.

The sentencing of Detective Grus presents a final opportunity for the Tribunal to recognize the public interest and avoid compounding the injustice. That is why your sworn affidavit matters – not just for one officer’s fate, but for the future of accountable policing in Canada where police officers – not political influence or interference – direct investigations and outcomes.

Grounds for Sentencing Submissions

Detective Helen Grus has already been convicted by the internal tribunal. The upcoming hearing on September 3–5, 2025, will determine the penalty.

Under Ontario law, and in line with principles of natural justice and sentencing in police discipline cases, members of the public may submit sworn affidavits for consideration at the sentencing phase.

These affidavits can address a wide range of legally recognized and relevant factors, including:

• The public interest in maintaining confidence in the police
• The seriousness and nature of the misconduct (in this case, an officer investigating infant deaths while on duty and in good faith)
• Detective Grus’s service record, commendations, and prior conduct
• The impact of a penalty on the officer, her family, and future police conduct.
• Detective Grus has already personally spent $400,000+ in legal fees – despite acting in the line of duty. This is a heavy penalty in itself.
• Whether a harsh sentence would deter other police officers from doing their duty and obeying their oath in politically sensitive situations
• Whether the penalty would be consistent with similar cases, or disproportionately harsh
• The broader chilling effect on police independence and investigative integrity.
• The Tribunal’s discretion to impose no penalty at all – including a reprimand or warning

You do not need to have personally known Detective Grus to make a relevant contribution. Your affidavit might express:

• Your professional opinion as a serving or retired officer, lawyer, or health care worker
• Your concern as a parent, citizen, or member of the public
• Your support for the principle that police must be free to investigate all potential crimes – even when politics or public officials are involved

Affidavits must be truthful, respectful, and focused on sentencing issues – not on re-arguing the facts of the case. (An appeal will be filed, but this is not the time to argue it.)

The Grus legal team will assist with formatting and legal relevance. What matters is that your voice is heard – and that the Tribunal sees that Canadians are watching.

Who Can Submit an Affidavit?

Anyone can submit a sworn affidavit for consideration at Detective Helen Grus’s sentencing hearing.

You do not need to be a lawyer, police officer, or expert witness. The Tribunal should hear from Canadians of all backgrounds and from every part of the country – not just from Ontario or Ottawa. A single-page affidavit from an ordinary Canadian living far from the capital could tip the scales between Detective Grus being fired – or receiving no penalty at all.

What matters is that your testimony is truthful, relevant to sentencing, and offered in good faith.

The following categories of people might want to participate:

* Serving or retired police officers and concerned citizens

— who understand the importance of investigative discretion and the risks of political interference in policing

* Former prosecutors, judges, or legal professionals

— who can speak to legal norms, due process, proportionality, and precedent

* Medical professionals, scientists, or researchers

— who can address the importance of evidence-based investigation, institutional accountability, or systemic oversight by independently-operating public employees.

* Vaccine-injured individuals and bereaved families

— who can speak to the importance of open, independent, and politically untainted police investigations

* Parents and concerned citizens

— who are alarmed by the precedent being set and its broader implications for child protection, law enforcement, and democratic oversight

* Journalists, academics, ethicists, and historians

— who can contextualize the public interest, the erosion of police independence, or similar past abuses of institutional power

* Anyone who believes this matter is too important for them to remain silent

You do not need to comment on every legal point. A short, honest statement of your perspective – even a single page of a few paragraphs – may be all that’s needed to make an impact.

The Grus legal team will review all draft affidavits BEFORE THEY ARE SWORN to ensure they are admissible, properly formatted, and useful to the Tribunal.

What to Include in Your Affidavit – Template

Your affidavit doesn’t need to be long or complicated. Even one page can make an impact.

The goal is to provide truthful, relevant evidence that the Tribunal can consider when deciding what penalty—if any—should be imposed on Detective Helen Grus.

Here’s a simple outline you can follow:

1. Who You Are

• Full name, city or town, and province. Exact address not required in the affidavit as long as the legal team knows it.
• Brief personal or professional background
• If something in your background gives you a special perspective on the case, please include that too.

(e.g., “I am a retired police officer with 25 years of service in Alberta”; “I am a mother of three and a concerned citizen in Nova Scotia”; “I am injured by the vaccines that Detective Grus was investigating”; “I lost my son, brother to the vaccines that Detective Grus was investigating.”)

2. Why the Grus sentencing matters to you

• You do not need to know Detective Grus personally, or even have been aware of the case until recently. Perhaps you are just hearing of it now.
• Simply explain why this case matters to you. Some examples, but there are many more and more personal to you…
  • As a citizen concerned about justice and police independence
  • As a professional who understands the risk of political interference
  • As someone affected by vaccine injury or loss, and concerned about whether police can do their jobs without fear
  • As a parent worried about child safety and the erosion of police discretion

3. Your Main Message

• Express, in your own words, why you believe the Tribunal should impose no penalty, or the minimum penalty available (e.g., a reprimand or written warning)
• You may wish to refer to:
  • The danger of chilling police initiative
  • The fact that Detective Grus was on duty, acting in good faith
  • Her prior commendations and public service
  • The excessive financial and emotional cost she has already borne
  • The public interest in protecting investigative independence
  • The importance of not punishing officers for following evidence
  • The risk that a heavy sentence would undermine public confidence in policing – and signal that officers may be punished for pursuing evidence that challenges politically established narratives or involves powerful institutions

4. Closing Statement

• Reaffirm that your statement is made truthfully, voluntarily, and in good faith
• State that you respectfully submit your affidavit for the Tribunal’s consideration

Keep in Mind:

• This is not the time to argue that the Tribunal made a legal error or to re-litigate the case. That will be addressed on appeal.
• Stick to sentencing-related topics: character, fairness, proportionality, and public interest
• The Grus legal team will help ensure your draft meets legal requirements before you swear it

You can email your draft to the legal team using the instructions in the next section. They’ll assist with formatting and guide you through the process of having it sworn before a notary or commissioner.

How to Submit Your Affidavit (Step-by-Step)

Submitting your affidavit is a straightforward process. The Grus legal team will assist at each stage to make sure your testimony is properly formatted, legally admissible, and ready for submission to the Tribunal.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Case

Before writing your affidavit, read the background information provided in this article, and in various media – including articles listed at the ‘Detective Grus Case’ page of this website.

Detective Grus Case Page Here

You could also read the written decision of the Tribunal. The sections where the Tribunal officer states that officers should ask for permission before investigating crimes that have “political and societal ramifications” or involving “public officials” is on page 28.

Decision-with-Reasons-Det-Grus

Review the list of acceptable sentencing topics and decide what issue(s) you want to speak to – such as Detective Grus’s character, the chilling effect on police, the public interest in police independence, and any other sentencing factor you’ve seen discussed publicly or that you believe the Tribunal should consider.

Step 2: Draft Your Affidavit Using the Above Template

Use the above template to guide you through what to include – your name, background, main message, and closing statement. Don’t worry about any formatting or legal header as the Grus lawyers will format it all for you.

Keep it honest and to the point. One or two pages is usually enough. You can write it in plain language. No need to be formal or legalistic. It’s your affidavit, not anyone else’s.

Step 3: Email Your Draft to the Grus Legal Team

Send your unsigned draft affidavit by email to the Grus legal team using the subject line:

“Grus Affidavit Submission” to email: info@egronomylaw.com

Bath-Shéba van den Berg
Egronomy Law

1800-330 5th Avenue SW,
Calgary AB T2P 4L0

info@egronomylaw.com
Telephone: 1-587-952-8911

In the email, be sure to include:

• Your full name
• Your contact email
• Telephone number.
• The draft affidavit in Word or PDF format

Step 4: Legal Review and Formatting

The Grus legal team will review your draft and assist with formatting or minor edits to ensure your affidavit is legally relevant and admissible. They may contact you to clarify details or suggest edits for clarity and grammar.

Step 5: Swear or Affirm the Final Version

Once your affidavit is finalized, the legal team will send it back to you as a ready-to-swear document in Word and pdf file types.

You will print this out and take it to a local:

• Lawyer
• Notary Public
• Commissioner of Oaths (many courthouses and city offices offer this service)

They will witness your signature and administer the oath or affirmation.

Step 6: Scan and Return the Signed Affidavit via Email

Scan or photograph the signed affidavit and email it back to the legal team at the same address.

Make sure your scan is legible and complete. The lawyer who witnessed your affidavit may scan it for you and email it directly to you and Grus legal team. Most law offices are set up to assist you with that in about two minutes.

Deadline Reminder – ASAP

Send your draft affidavit immediately. Every day counts and the sooner it is received, the stronger the impact.

Time is needed for legal review, formatting, and swearing. The Grus legal team will submit affidavits as soon as possible prior to the hearing.

Each of us can make this happen!

Note: I, Donald Best, am not an agent or representative of the Grus legal team. I am publicizing this urgent need for sentencing affidavit evidence from Canadians. I am not involved in reviewing submissions, vetting witnesses, or forwarding communications to legal counsel. All affidavits and questions must be sent directly to the Grus defence team as directed above.