9.76°C Vancouver

Apr 7, 2021 9:29 PM -

Alberta church shut down, fenced off for ignoring COVID-19 health restrictions

Share On
alberta-church-shut-down-fenced-off-for-ignoring-covid-19-health-restrictions
File - Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sunday, February 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Metal fences have been put up around the GraceLife church just west of Edmonton and Alberta Health Services says it will stay closed until it complies with COVID-19 health rules.

The church has ignored public health warnings for months, and its pastor spent a month in jail.

Churches are allowed to be open at 15 per cent capacity, but officials say hundreds of people have attended GraceLife's services.

Several doctors say public-health restrictions introduced by government are not enough

Several doctors from Calgary and Edmonton say that with cases involving COVID-19 variants doubling every week, public-health restrictions introduced by the Alberta government are not enough to reduce the spread of the virus.

Dr. James Talbot, co-chair of the COVID-19 committee with the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association, says the restrictions on indoor restaurant dining and retail customer limits announced yesterday won't reduce the stress on hospitals and intensive care units.

Another expert with the University of Calgary says in order to get the curve bending downward, there needs to be another shutdown like the one imposed last spring.

Latest news

canadas-federal-budget-set-for-november-5
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Federal Budget Set for November 5

Canada’s federal budget will be presented on November 5, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has officially announced. He confirmed the date during Question Period in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The budget will be the second fall budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government. The announcement comes as Canadian businesses continue to face the impact of U.S. tariffs and Canada’s retaliatory measures. Champagne indicated that the budget would include several measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s economy and making it more independent. He said the budget wo
amit-shah-meets-families-of-three-victims-in-punjab-assures-justice
IndiaOct 20, 2026

Amit Shah Meets Families of Three Victims in Punjab, Assures Justice

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Punjab today and met the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, expressing his condolences and assuring them that justice would be delivered. Jhota was murdered in Mansa while raising his voice against drug abuse.At the beginning of his Punjab visit, Shah met the family of Bikramjit in Gurdaspur. The meeting lasted around 15 minutes. During the meeting, Shah touched the feet of Bikramjit's mother, Surjit Kaur, as a mark of respect and assured the family that a CBI investigation would be conducted.He later met the family of Gulzar, who alleg
poilievre-thanks-albertans-for-voting-to-keep-canada-united
BCOct 20, 2026

Poilievre Thanks Albertans for Voting to Keep Canada United

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre thanked Albertans in Calgary today for voting in favour of keeping Alberta part of a united Canada in the provincial referendum. He said the people of Alberta had delivered a strong and decisive mandate. Born in Alberta, Poilievre had campaigned extensively ahead of the referendum, urging residents to keep the province within Canada. He said those considering separation out of frustration with the current government should remember that Canada is more than just a government — it represents its people, flag, land and shared history. Poilievre said it
BCOct 20, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Announce Election Night Watch Party in Vancouver

The B.C. Conservative Party has announced details of its official election night event ahead of the provincial election results. According to a press release issued by the party, leader Lorne Doerkson will host an election night watch party with campaign staff and supporters at Vancouver’s Rocky Mountaineer Station after British Columbians cast their votes. The venue is the same location where Kerry-Lynne Findlay was declared the party’s leader during a leadership convention five months ago. Doerkson, who is in the race to become B.C.’s premier, is running in the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding
surrey-mayor-doug-mccallum-reacts-to-skytrain-extension-promises-for-newton
BCOct 20, 2026

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Reacts to SkyTrain Extension Promises for Newton

Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has strongly reacted to announcements by two major provincial parties regarding the proposed SkyTrain extension to the Newton area. In a statement issued by McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, the party said the B.C. Conservatives have made a firm commitment to deliver the SkyTrain project to Newton Town Centre, while the B.C. NDP has offered only to hold another meeting on the issue. McCallum said the project is particularly important for Newton, Surrey’s largest community, which has a population larger than that of many cities but still lacks rapid

Related News