Police “furthering investigation” into Alberta restriction-defiant church

EDMONTON – RCMP say a church whose pastor was charged last week with violating Alberta’s health rules was not complying with COVID-19 restrictions during Sunday morning’s service.

Police say in a news release that they, along with Alberta Health Services, attended GraceLife Church near Edmonton to ensure attendance was limited to 15 per cent of capacity and that people there were practising physical distancing.

They say officers at the scene “determined that the church did not comply with the restrictions,” and as a result police are “furthering their investigation into the actions of GraceLife Church and the church pastor, James Coates.”

The release says another, detailed media release regarding the outcome of the investigation should come mid-week.