EDMONTON, Alberta, June 7, 2021 (JCCF) – The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is disappointed with today’s ruling from the Provincial Court of Alberta in the ongoing trial of Pastor James Coates, of GraceLife Church. Judge Robert Shaigec delivered an oral ruling this morning rejecting Pastor Coates’ arguments that the Public Health Act Ticket he received on December 20, 2020, for holding church services as normal, violated multiple Charter rights.
“It’s obvious that government restrictions on people’s freedom to worship, assemble and associate are violated by health orders that prevent normal, regular church services from taking place,” states lawyer John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre.
“The judge thought the restrictions were reasonable, which is not the proper legal test at this stage. Whether restrictions are reasonable should only be considered later, after the government has finally produced medical and scientific evidence to try to justify its restrictions on Charter freedoms,” continues Carpay.
“An appeal of this decision is being considered, based on serious errors in law.”
While acknowledging “the sincerity of Pastor Coates religious convictions,” Judge Shaigec decided that the Pastor’s Charter right to freedom of religion had to be “reasonably threatened in more than an insubstantial way and only after competing interests are weighed.” Judge Shaigec further stated his
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