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Persecution in Alberta

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  • Source: https://www.jccf.ca/court-disregards...-coates-trial/

    Court disregards Charter freedoms in Pastor James Coates trial

    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 view that, “Freedom of religion is subject to such limitations to protect public health and safety” and he focused on whether “enforcement” of public health laws and government “conduct” violated Pastor Coates’ religious freedom.


    Last edited by The Melody Maker; 06-07-2021, 08:59 PM.
    ~ Russell ("MelMak")

    "[Sing] and [make] melody in your heart to the Lord." -- Ephesians 5:19b

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    • Originally posted by The Melody Maker View Post
      I heard that at noon today, and forgot to tell you. But I did warn you this morning that the courts here are not as sympathetic to Charter freedoms as the courts are the Constitution in the US.

      Sorry, kiddo. It's very disappointing, but not unexpected.


      Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

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      • Just finished listening to their sermon from this past Sunday (the day before the trial) and got a bit of encouragement from it...



        Providence overrides the province.
        ~ Russell ("MelMak")

        "[Sing] and [make] melody in your heart to the Lord." -- Ephesians 5:19b

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        • Now Tim Stephens' church in Calgary has been seized by the provincial government.

          And the government announced that more restrictions are being lifted as of today. But the churches are seized and locked.



          https://www.rebelnews.com/they_make_...ource=therebel


          On Saturday, Pastor Tim Stephens’ Calgary church, Fairview Baptist, was effectively seized by Alberta Health Services. Authorities moved in during the early morning hours and changed all the locks on the building. Pastor Tim was not made aware of the seizure of the church until media outlets contacted him asking about the changing of the locks.

          Pastor Tim immediately set to work arranging for a location to host worship on Sunday, and without fail, by Sunday morning worship proceeded without issues. I was fortunate to be able to attend worship at the confidential location, and despite having lost their church building, it was clear that the congregants were full of joy as they worshiped together.


          Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

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          • The war is on.

            GraceLife takes Alberta Health Services to court, seeking return of Church

            The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms today announced that GraceLife Church (Grace Life), Pastor James Coates, and three church congregants (the Grace Life Applicants) have filed a court application against Alberta Health Services (AHS), Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and Chief Medical Officer of Health, Deena Hinshaw, to force the government to return the building and grounds of the Church.

            ...

            The GraceLife Applicants contend the public health restrictions on worship violate their rights to freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, liberty, and security of the person as protected by sections 2 and 7 of the Charter. In addition to asking the Court to strike down the public health restrictions, the GraceLife Applicants are seeking the immediate return of their building and an order from the court prohibiting law enforcement and government agents from attempting to break up or disrupt worship services.

            Three congregants of GraceLife Church, Dr. Donna Klay, Achnes Smith, and Allan Neil, have joined the Church and Pastor Coates in asking the Court to uphold their constitutional rights by reversing the government’s seizure of their church building.

            Expert reports have been filed in support of this court challenge from medical professionals and scientists including: esteemed virologist and immunologist, Dr. Byram Bridle; an expert pathologist; in addition to a medical microbiologist and infectious disease specialist. These extensive expert reports include scientific evidence that asymptomatic transmission is negligible, that masks are ineffective and irrational, and that capacity limits of church gatherings are also irrational and have no basis in science.

            The Justice Centre will also be appealing the June 7 decision of Alberta Provincial Court Judge Robert Shaigec, who ruled that the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of Pastor Coates did not violate his Charter rights and freedoms, and that ticketing Pastor Coates for leading a regular worship service did not violate freedoms of religion, expression, assembly, and association.
            Source: https://www.jccf.ca/gracelife-takes-...urn-of-church/
            ~ Russell ("MelMak")

            "[Sing] and [make] melody in your heart to the Lord." -- Ephesians 5:19b

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            • Originally posted by The Melody Maker View Post
              The Western Standard (which I've never heard of) also has a story concerning this

              Pastor James Coates wants his church back -- and he is suing the provincial government to get it.

              Coates was arrested in February and served more than a month in jail after he repeatedly violated provincial COVID-19 regulations by holding packed services at his GraceLife Church, outside Edmonton.

              Once he was released, services continued to be held at GraceLife until April 7 when Alberta Health Services and the RCMP moved it during a dawn raid, barricaded the church and fenced it off.

              The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced Thursday Coates and three church congregants, Dr. Donna Klay, Achnes Smith, and Allan Neil, have filed a court application against Alberta Health Services (AHS), Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, to force the government to return the building and grounds of the church.

              "For over two months, the Alberta government has possessed GraceLife’s church building and kept the doors guarded, preventing the exercise of Charter-guaranteed rights and freedoms to worship, associate, and assemble at the building," said the JCCF in a statement.

              During that time, GraceLife has continued to hold services at "underground" locations -- a different one each week.

              "In addition to asking the Court to strike down the public health restrictions, the GraceLife Applicants are seeking the immediate return of their building and an order from the court prohibiting law enforcement and government agents from attempting to break up or disrupt worship services," said the JCCF.

              Coates is set to return to court June 30.

              "Barricading GraceLife Church has everything to do with punishing dissent, and nothing to do with public safety. The Premier wines and dines his Cabinet at the Sky Palace with impunity, but church congregants cannot peacefully gather to pray together and worship on their own property in accordance with their conscience and in exercise of their constitutional freedoms," said JCCF lawyer Jay Cameron.

              "In four weeks, literally tens of thousands of people will gather in Calgary for a massive rodeo party, but no one is allowed to enter GraceLife Church because it is 'too dangerous'. Alberta has become a four-alarm civil liberties dumpster fire, and we are asking the judiciary to put it out."


              This part,

              During that time, GraceLife has continued to hold services at "underground" locations -- a different one each week.


              brings this back into mind



              Shades of Communist Russia and China.

              This really is no surprise given how when asked in 2013 what country PM Justin Trudeau most admired besides Canada, he responded without hesitation


              There’s a level of admiration I actually have for China. Their basic dictatorship is actually allowing them to turn their economy around on a dime and say, ‘We need to go green, we want to start investing in solar’




              Trudeau admires the Chicom's dictatorship (the word he used). That admiration continues as evidenced by his whining that he needs more evidence before declaring that China’s horrendous treatment of the Uyghur Muslim's in the country constitutes a genocide, after Canuckistan's House of Commons passed a resolution this February condemning China's actions as genocide, and in spite of Trudeau saying in 2019 that Canada’s treatment of its native population was genocide.



              I'm always still in trouble again

              "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
              "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
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              • The Western Standard used to be a print magazine, became The Alberta Report, was a conservative news source. That's where Ezra Levant of Rebel News first came to my attention.

                Neither mag is in print amymore. I miss it.

                And what a joke, Trudeau saying that China wants to go green. He continually lies through his teeth.


                Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

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                • Pastor Tim Stephens was arrested on Monday afternoon on new charges, after Fairview Baptist Church gathered for underground worship for the second week in a row since their church was effectively seized by Alberta Health Services last Saturday.

                  Alberta authorities were forced to drop other charges against Pastor Tim last month, after discovering that Alberta Health Services never served Pastor Stephens with the court order he was accused of having violated, a requirement under the order. That effectively ended the case against Pastor Tim, but he will now be facing another legal battle.

                  Over the weekend, an ever-growing crowd gathered at the undisclosed location and shared the word, sang songs of praise and heard Pastor Tim preach.

                  As worship progressed, a police helicopter discovered the gathered congregation.

                  It is unclear if police were actually searching for the group or simply happened upon it, as the helicopter was significantly north of the location of worship and continued towards the city. It wasn’t until several minutes later that the helicopter returned and completed repeated passes overhead.

                  Minutes later, police vehicles were seen circling the location, but they never moved in to interrupt worship or make arrests.

                  Ironically, all efforts to suppress worship by Alberta Health Services, whether at Pastor Artur Pawlowski’s or Pastor Tim’s church have only served to significantly bolster church attendance. As public health restrictions continue to be relaxed, these churches are not facing defeat at the hands of overreaching officials, quite the opposite — they are stronger and larger than ever before.

                  Despite worship continuing, Pastor Tim was arrested in front of his family on Monday. He is fortunate to be represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, who will be working for his immediate release.



                  https://www.rebelnews.com/breaking_p...ource=therebel


                  Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

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                  • Originally posted by mossrose View Post


                    Pastor Tim Stephens was arrested on Monday afternoon on new charges, after Fairview Baptist Church gathered for underground worship for the second week in a row since their church was effectively seized by Alberta Health Services last Saturday.

                    Alberta authorities were forced to drop other charges against Pastor Tim last month, after discovering that Alberta Health Services never served Pastor Stephens with the court order he was accused of having violated, a requirement under the order. That effectively ended the case against Pastor Tim, but he will now be facing another legal battle.

                    Over the weekend, an ever-growing crowd gathered at the undisclosed location and shared the word, sang songs of praise and heard Pastor Tim preach.

                    As worship progressed, a police helicopter discovered the gathered congregation.

                    It is unclear if police were actually searching for the group or simply happened upon it, as the helicopter was significantly north of the location of worship and continued towards the city. It wasn’t until several minutes later that the helicopter returned and completed repeated passes overhead.

                    Minutes later, police vehicles were seen circling the location, but they never moved in to interrupt worship or make arrests.

                    Ironically, all efforts to suppress worship by Alberta Health Services, whether at Pastor Artur Pawlowski’s or Pastor Tim’s church have only served to significantly bolster church attendance. As public health restrictions continue to be relaxed, these churches are not facing defeat at the hands of overreaching officials, quite the opposite — they are stronger and larger than ever before.

                    Despite worship continuing, Pastor Tim was arrested in front of his family on Monday. He is fortunate to be represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, who will be working for his immediate release.



                    https://www.rebelnews.com/breaking_p...ource=therebel
                    The Church has always gotten bigger and stronger the more it is persecuted.

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by Sparko View Post

                      The Church has always gotten bigger and stronger the more it is persecuted.
                      Indeed. But why are they arresting him again? He probably had more than 10 people there!

                      However, on the local news last week when it was pushing 30C, they had the weather guy at a spray park where there were hundreds of people, all milling together and not wearing masks! It is absolutely outrageous!


                      Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

                      Comment


                      • Originally posted by mossrose View Post

                        Indeed. But why are they arresting him again? He probably had more than 10 people there!

                        However, on the local news last week when it was pushing 30C, they had the weather guy at a spray park where there were hundreds of people, all milling together and not wearing masks! It is absolutely outrageous!
                        At this point they seem to have lost all perspective and are acting out of pure emotion. They are being influenced by Satan. Spiritual warfare.

                        Comment


                        • Originally posted by Sparko View Post

                          At this point they seem to have lost all perspective and are acting out of pure emotion. They are being influenced by Satan. Spiritual warfare.
                          Yes.


                          Securely anchored to the Rock amid every storm of trial, testing or tribulation.

                          Comment


                          • Originally posted by mossrose View Post


                            Pastor Tim Stephens was arrested on Monday afternoon on new charges, after Fairview Baptist Church gathered for underground worship for the second week in a row since their church was effectively seized by Alberta Health Services last Saturday.

                            Alberta authorities were forced to drop other charges against Pastor Tim last month, after discovering that Alberta Health Services never served Pastor Stephens with the court order he was accused of having violated, a requirement under the order. That effectively ended the case against Pastor Tim, but he will now be facing another legal battle.

                            Over the weekend, an ever-growing crowd gathered at the undisclosed location and shared the word, sang songs of praise and heard Pastor Tim preach.

                            As worship progressed, a police helicopter discovered the gathered congregation.

                            It is unclear if police were actually searching for the group or simply happened upon it, as the helicopter was significantly north of the location of worship and continued towards the city. It wasn’t until several minutes later that the helicopter returned and completed repeated passes overhead.

                            Minutes later, police vehicles were seen circling the location, but they never moved in to interrupt worship or make arrests.

                            Ironically, all efforts to suppress worship by Alberta Health Services, whether at Pastor Artur Pawlowski’s or Pastor Tim’s church have only served to significantly bolster church attendance. As public health restrictions continue to be relaxed, these churches are not facing defeat at the hands of overreaching officials, quite the opposite — they are stronger and larger than ever before.

                            Despite worship continuing, Pastor Tim was arrested in front of his family on Monday. He is fortunate to be represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, who will be working for his immediate release.



                            https://www.rebelnews.com/breaking_p...ource=therebel
                            From the description of the helicopter's behavior it sounds like someone reported it causing the helicopter that was in the area to turn around and search in the location that was provided.

                            I'm always still in trouble again

                            "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                            "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                            "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

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                            • A bit more on this from the Justice Center:

                              “It is our position that AHS is engaged in an intentional act of public deception and abuse of authority in arresting Pastor Stephens and others. Further, it appears that Premier Kenney’s Government is targeting its enemies, those who are speaking out against lockdown restrictions and for Charter freedoms.”

                              — Jay Cameron, Justice Centre Litigation Director
                              Source: https://www.jccf.ca/pastor-tim-steph...legally-again/
                              ~ Russell ("MelMak")

                              "[Sing] and [make] melody in your heart to the Lord." -- Ephesians 5:19b

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                              • Pastor Tim Stephens will remain in jail for violating public health orders until at least June 28.

                                Although Stephens received a bail hearing Monday evening, he refused to sign his conditions of release that would require him to hold socially distant church services that comply with all the current health restrictions on places of worship. He remains in the Remand Centre in Calgary.

                                Stephens was arrested for the second time Monday afternoon in front of his wife and sobbing children by Calgary police on the controversial May 6 court order issued by Justice Rooke on behalf of Alberta Health Services.

                                That order specifically names Chris Scott of the Whistle Stop Cafe and Glen Carritt, a mayoral candidate in Innisfail, along with anyone acting under their direction from promoting, organizing or attending illegal public gatherings. Stephens was not named in that order.

                                Rooke's order was also used to facilitate the arrest of Pastor Art Pawlowski and his brother Dawid.

                                Stephens' church, Fairview Baptist, spent months under police surveillance for allegedly violating the public health orders before it was confiscated by the province two weeks ago.

                                Rebel News reporter Adam Soos and photographer Kian Simone were on hand at the Stephens' home when the police took the pastor into custody.

                                he word of God, reason, and science, that we must gather as a church and live our lives with freedom in Christ. You know how we have sought to continue to follow Scripture this past year: to practice hospitality, to meet together (and all the more in difficult times), to speak truth, and live according to the truth.


                                And from the email I received with this link:

                                While Alberta Premier Jason Kenney hangs out with his friends at the Sky Palace and enjoys complete immunity from his own lockdown rules, pastors in his province are imprisoned for simply exercising their Charter right to worship and gather freely — outdoors, no less.

                                This is madness.


                                https://www.rebelnews.com/pastor_tim...ource=therebel


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