15.48°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

mark-carney-announces-new-canadian-consul-general-appointments-in-the-united-states
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Mark Carney announces new Canadian consul general appointments in the United States

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of new Canadian consul general appointments across the United States. As part of the changes, former Brampton West Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Kamal Khera has been appointed Canada's new Consul General in Los Angeles. According to the Prime Minister's Office, former Shell Canada executive Susannah Pierce has been appointed Consul General in New York. The appointments also include former Bank of Canada director Claire Kennedy as Consul General in Chicago and veteran diplomat Andrea Clements as Consul General in Detroit. The appointmen
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Ottawa announces $30M drone defence innovation centre in Quebec

The federal government says it will invest nearly $30 million over two years to establish a new defence innovation centre focused on military drone research and development in Quebec. National Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the funding Wednesday in Mirabel, Que., a major aerospace manufacturing hub. According to the Department of National Defence, the project will support the creation and operation of a defence innovation centre dedicated to unmanned systems. The initiative will be led by Aéro Montréal and a consortium of 30 organizations representing industry, academic institutio
BCJul 14, 2026

35-year-old West Vancouver man charged in alleged residential break-ins

A 35-year-old West Vancouver man is facing multiple charges in connection with a series of alleged residential break-ins and related property crimes in the Northgate neighbourhood, according to West Vancouver Police. Police said the investigation stems from incidents reported on April 23, when officers received complaints of residential break-ins, thefts from vehicles and the unauthorized use of a stolen credit card. Investigators later arrested Louis Muelfarth in connection with the case. He was released on April 25 on conditions, including a requirement to appear in court on July 15. Accordi
israeli-strikes-in-gaza-kill-at-least-nine-palestinians-including-child-and-hamas-police-official
WorldJul 14, 2026

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least nine Palestinians, including child and Hamas police official

At least nine Palestinians, including a 10-year-old child and a senior Hamas police official, were killed Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza health authorities and Hamas-run police officials. Medical officials said 10-year-old Mutaz Abu Shar was killed by Israeli gunfire in Rafah. In northern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike targeted a Hamas-controlled police post in the Jabalia area, killing about seven people, including a woman, according to local health officials. In a statement, Hamas' Interior Ministry identified those killed in the Jabalia strike
canada-post-awarded-nearly-30-million-in-performance-bonuses-despite-record-annual-loss
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Canada Post awarded nearly $30 million in performance bonuses despite record annual loss

Canada Post awarded nearly $30 million in performance-based bonuses to executives and managers for 2025 despite reporting its largest annual financial loss on record. According to the Crown corporation's financial results, Canada Post posted a pre-tax loss of $1.57 billion in 2025. The disclosure comes after the federal government approved $673 million in financial support for the Crown corporation as it continues to face mounting financial pressures. The bonus payments have drawn criticism amid ongoing concerns about the organization's long-term financial sustainability. The Canadian Taxpayer

Related News