He said having services online or capping the congregation at 15 per cent also altered the true meaning of worship. "The government has been able to essentially do whatever it wants and you've got the media that just fear-monger the people into believing the COVID narrative," he said. "The supreme law of the land, the charter, is being ignored."Ĭoates testified that he believes masking is a violation of his charter right to worship and gather because it has hindered his speaking and made it difficult for him to be a pastor. He said provincial regulations meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 not only infringe on his and his congregants' constitutional right to freedom of religion and peaceful assembly, but he's convinced they are an overreaction. He was released March 22 after pleading guilty, and was fined $1,500.Ĭoates challenged the one charge he still faces of violating the Public Health Act during his cross-examination. Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church testified on the first day of his trial Monday, and complained multiple times about how difficult it was to speak with a mask on.Ĭoates, 41, spent a month in the Edmonton Remand Centre after he violated a bail condition not to hold church services that officials have said ignored measures on capacity limits, physical distancing and masking. ![]() An Alberta pastor accused of leading church services in violation of public health orders says the COVID-19 pandemic has been blown out of proportion by the government and the media.
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