Last Updated: Thursday, April 8, 2021 12:05
A long-running battle between the pastor and members of an Alberta church, who say their Charter rights are being threatened by provincial restrictions designed to fight COVID-19, and health authorities, who say the church is breaking the law, has taken another turn.
On Wednesday morning, RCMP and members of Alberta Health Services moved to “physically close” the GraceLife Church west of Edmonton–erecting chain link fencing surrounding the church and its parking lot in Spruce Grove in Parkland County.
“Alberta Health Services physically closed GraceLife Church and has prevented access to the building until GLC can demonstrate the ability to comply with Alberta’s chief medical officer of health’s (CMOH) restrictions,” AHS said in a statement Wednesday morning.
Alberta government seeks to delay May 3 trial of Pastor Coates and barricades Church canadafreepress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from canadafreepress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Article content
Police and security are on site at GraceLife Church where steel fencing has now been erected around the site that’s been host to services for months that have breached COVID-19 public health orders.
The Wednesday morning move to shutter the church on the western edge of Edmonton follows several packed Easter weekend services, in violation of a closure order issued in January for previously flouting COVID-19 restrictions. Fencing was erected around the entire perimeter of the church after a convoy of about a dozen RCMP vehicles first arrived around 6 a.m. Wednesday. Police are there to assist Alberta Health Services (AHS) with the closure.
A construction company erects a chainlink fence around the building of GraceLife Church near Edmonton. (Twitter)
Article continues below advertisement ↴
Alberta Health Services (AHS) released a statement this morning announcing the closure of GraceLife Church (GLC) in Edmonton.
AHS says that they have prevented access to the building until “GLC can demonstrate the ability to comply with Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s (CMOH) restrictions.” A large fence has been erected around the building and security is on the scene to ensure people stay out.
The church s pastor, James Coates, remained in police custody for over 30 days after he refused to agree to bail conditions after being accused of violating health orders. Most charges against Coates were dropped in March and he was released from custody. The
EDMONTON A fence has been erected around an Alberta church after its congregation has met for months in violation of provincial COVID-19 orders. Chain link fencing surrounded GraceLife Church and its parking lot in Parkland County west of Edmonton Wednesday morning. Alberta Health Services said it physically closed the building and will be preventing access to it until GraceLife can demonstrate the ability to comply with Alberta s Chief Medical Officer of Health s restrictions. Security and RCMP were also on scene. Mounties told CTV News Edmonton they were there to assist with enforcement. Several church supporters also attended, angry with the measures being taken by officials.