The vaccine resistance problem in Canada, and how to confront it
Stephen Maher: Increasingly vocal vaccine resistant groups will make it harder to stamp out the virus. Is enough being done to try and reach them?
May 21, 2021 People gather at an anti-mask demonstration during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aylmer, Ont., on Nov. 7, 2020(Nathan Denette/CP)
Maxime Bernier, the leader of the People’s Party of Canada, and Randy Hillier, the independent MLA for Lanark Frontenac Kingston, were both ticketed at an ugly anti-lockdown rally in Peterborough, Ont., on April 24. Bernier slipped away before the worst part, when Hillier and his unmasked supporters crowded around police officers, cursing and insulting them at close range, a feature of the protests Hillier has been organizing around southern Ontario, part of an ongoing, spittle-flecked battle for freedom against what his supporters see as tyrannical health restrictions.
Calgary Pastor Rejects Bail Terms Amid Claims of Invalid Court Order Used for His Arrest
Another pastor in Alberta has been arrested for allegedly defying the province’s COVID-19 gathering restrictions, but lawyers said the health enforcement order on which the arrest was based is no longer valid.
Pastor Tim Stephens of the Fairview Baptist Church was detained by Calgary police on Sunday for allegedly refusing to limit his congregation and have them wear masks as stipulated by the Alberta Health Services (AHS).
On May 6, the AHS obtained an order from the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta that allows the arrest of Whistle Stop Café owner Christopher Scott, former councillor and mayoral candidate for Innisfail town Glen Carritt, and John and Jane Does meaning “any other person acting … independently to like effect and with Notice of this Order” for organizing, attending, and promoting “illegal public gatherings” that violate orders issued by the Alberta Chief Med
A third Canadian pastor has been arrested after violating COVID-19 restrictions.
Tim Stephens, the pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary, was arrested Sunday after months of urging members of his congregation to break public health orders.Â
Canadian police reported that the Baptist pastor was arrested for organizing a church service Sunday that âdid not comply with public health orders, including masking, physical distancing and attendance limits.â
In a statement, authorities stated that police did not enter the church during the service. The pastor acknowledged the injunction, but chose to move forward with today s service, ignoring requirements for social distancing, mask wearing and reduced capacity limits for attendees, the joint statement released by the Calgary Police Service and Alberta Health Services reads.Â
CALGARY: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms was in court again today on behalf of Calgary pastor Tim Stephens, in jail since Sunday May 16. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has sought to keep Pastor Stephens in jail until he agrees to consent to the violation of his Charter rights and freedoms by Albertaâs public health orders.
Albertaâs public health orders are subject to Charter challenges in two separate court actions, and thus far the Alberta Government has failed to produce any medical or scientific evidence, in either court action, that might justify its public health orders as required by the Charter.
Author of the article: Bill Kaufmann
Publishing date: May 18, 2021 • 2 days ago • 3 minute read • Calgary police officers were with an Alberta Health Services official who was attaching closed to the public signs to doors at Fairview Baptist Church on Monday, May 17, 2021. Church Pastor Tim Stephens was arrested on Sunday after repeatedly failing to comply with public health restrictions. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia
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After its pastor was arrested for repeatedly breaching COVID-19 measures, Fairview Baptist Church was ordered closed by Alberta Health Services.
The church and its flock had been openly defying restrictions that most recently limit attendees to 15 people at a service.