Gracelife pastor's challenge of COVID-19 measures delayed pending result of Calgary case
Gracelife Church Pastor James Coates's constitutional challenge of Alberta's COVID-19 restrictions has again been rescheduled until a similar Alberta case concludes.
On Wednesday, Coates's case was pushed to Aug. 3 as he continues to wait on the results of a legal challenge from a group of individuals and churches in Calgary.
That case — brought by plaintiffs Rebecca Marie Ingram, Heights Baptist Church, Northside Baptist Church, Erin Blacklaws and Torry Tanner — is also challenging Alberta's public health rules and featured testimony from Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
A lawyer for Coates said Wednesday: “We expect the Ingram case to be decisive on this matter.” He said the Calgary case will likely be concluded by August with a ruling on the constitutionality of Alberta's COVID response.
Notably, the judge in the Ingram case ruled that Hinshaw could not rely on cabinet confidentiality to avoid discussing her closed-door recommendations on COVID policy.
Coates's case gained international attention when he refused to follow masking and capacity rules during services at his Parkland County church.
At the time, religious services were capped at 15 per cent of fire code capacity with limits on activities such as singing.
He currently faces a single charge under the Public Health Act.
Coates was jailed for 35 days for refusing to sign a document pledging to adhere to COVID measures.
Gracelife continued to worship despite the public health measures until April 2021, when Alberta Health Services fenced off the church property and locked the doors.
The church ultimately held services at a secret location until AHS returned the property.
Judge Robert Shaigec has yet to rule on the constitutionality of the specific public health orders, but last year threw out Coates's application seeking to have enforcement actions at the church deemed a Charter violation.
The Alberta government has since lifted nearly all COVID measures.
Meanwhile, another Edmonton pastor has been convicted of obstructing public health officials.
According to court records, Church in the Vine Pastor Tracy Fortin was found guilty of three counts of failing to comply with an order by obstructing an official under the Public Health Act.
Fortin is due in court May 25 for sentencing.