VANCOUVER - The Jehovah's Witness parents of sextuplets have won the right to cross-examine the medical professionals who provided affidavits supporting blood transfusions for some of their babies.
The babies were seized when the parents refused to give their consent for the transfusions because their religious beliefs prohibit the procedure.
The parents are challenging the seizure, with their lawyer arguing fundamental justice was denied to his clients and the seizure of their children was a breach of the Charter of Rights.
In April, Chief Justice Donald Brenner turned down an application by the parents' lawyer Shane Brady to cross-examine doctors, social workers and a government lawyer over the affidavits.
But Brenner ruled Tuesday because the director of child, family and community services relied on the affidavits filed by the doctors in seizing the babies, it is appropriate to allow the doctors to be cross-examined.
The judge also granted the director the right to cross-examine medial professionals who filed affidavits on behalf of the parents.
The parents' challenge of the seizures resumes Oct. 24.
Two of the sextuplets died within weeks of their Jan. 7 birth while two boys and two girls survived.
