Police to stop gatherings at Waterloo church
Trinity Bible Chapel holds in-person service, defying court order
“We’ve been more than reasonable … and we’ll be taking further action this week.”
CHIEF BRYAN LARKIN WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE
WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP—Waterloo Regional Police say it is following a set judicial plan, playing the “long game” in response to Trinity Bible Chapel holding in-person church services for the third time since the provincial lockdown began on Dec. 26.
Although the church announced Friday it would hold in-person services on Sunday, police did not attend to disperse the expected gathering. No charges were laid on Sunday, although police Chief Bryan Larkin said he expects charges will be laid by bylaw in the days ahead.
In a news conference on Monday, Larkin explained how the Reopening Ontario Act doesn’t give police the authority to prevent a gathering from happening. Once people have gathered in a group of more than 10 people, in violation of the Act, only then can police move in to disperse.
“There’s no prevention piece in this (Act). The prevention piece is encouraging compliance,” he said.
Under the Act, police could have dispersed the crowd, but chose not to. Larkin said part of the reason has to do with concern around officer safety.
“One or two police officers are not going in to disperse a crowd of 300 to 600,” he said.
A total of 15 charges have already been laid in connection to church services held on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. One of those is a charge against the church organization itself, an offence that carries a maximum fine of $10 million upon conviction.
By gathering on Sunday, the church also defied a Superior Court of Justice order issued on Friday, compelling it to comply with the Reopening Ontario Act or risk being held in contempt of court.
Larkin said the court order also has no enforcement provision. Once the order has been violated, the church ends up back in court. Neither the Act or the order gives police the power to arrest, he said.
Police received seven complaints about the church planning to hold Sunday services. Even though officers previously said enforcement will be complaint-driven, police stuck with the plan of having bylaw officers attend the church, document what they saw, and not intervene. This was part of the larger strategy, Larkin said.
“We do believe that this sets us up really well in view of the judicial system, that we’ve been more than reasonable, more than sensible, and we’ll be taking further action this week.”
Randy Hillier, an independent MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, posted on Twitter that he attended one of the church services. He also posted a photo of people inside, many sitting close together and not wearing masks.
Premier Doug Ford said he was “so disappointed” with Trinity’s decision to remain open in defiance of the provincial shutdown order.
“I think it’s careless and irresponsible for them to host this, especially in the situation we’re in right now,” said Ford. “Please, don’t continue doing this. There will be consequences.”
When asked if the province would step in to crack down on Trinity or others caught breaking the rules, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said “all options are on the table”.
“I will reinforce community leaders need to lead, and that includes our faith leaders. The vast majority have been able to pivot … and I would urge this church in particular to do the right thing and make those changes so they can continue to serve the people they want to help, but keep the rest of the community safe,” she said.
The Record has reached out to church leaders but has not received a response.
On Monday afternoon, Trinity Bible Chapel pastor Jacob Reaume spoke to Brian Bourke on 570 News and said he hopes to have in-person services again on Sunday.
He said the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19 are hurting people and the church gathering acts as an essential service, providing people with a bit of hope.
He said the legislation around mask use is posted in the church and masks are available, but it’s not enforced.
“If people decided not to wear a mask they might be medically exempt or they might be people who are consenting adults who happen to love each other and want to exchange smiles,” he said.
Trinity Bible Chapel has a court date of Feb. 26 in connection to the charges it received under the Reopening Ontario Act over the past month.