6.69°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

ihit-takes-over-surrey-homicide-investigation-after-fatal-laurel-drive-shooting
CanadaMar 16, 2026

IHIT takes over Surrey homicide investigation after fatal Laurel Drive shooting

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting early Saturday at a residence in Surrey. According to an IHIT news release, officers with the Surrey Police Service responded at about 1:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired inside a home in the 13900 block of Laurel Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said officers immediately provided first aid until paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services arrived. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene. A man was arrested at the residence an
ottawa-commits-200m-toward-canadian-satellite-launch-pad-in-nova-scotia
CanadaMar 16, 2026

Ottawa commits $200M toward Canadian satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia

The federal government says it will invest $200 million over the next decade to secure access to a Canadian-owned satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia, part of a broader effort to build domestic space and defence capabilities. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the initiative Monday at a laboratory operated by the Canadian Space Agency in Ottawa. The funding will be used to lease a launch pad near Canso that Ottawa says will form the foundation for a future Canadian spaceport. Canada currently relies on other countries, primarily the United States, to send satellites into orbit because i
environment-canada-warns-of-heavy-rain-wind-and-snow-across-parts-of-b-c-as-atmospheric-river-approaches
BCMar 16, 2026

Environment Canada warns of heavy rain, wind and snow across parts of B.C. as atmospheric river approaches

Environment Canada says parts of British Columbia are expected to see heavy rain, strong winds and periods of snow this week as an atmospheric river approaches the coast. The federal forecaster says Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound could receive up to 150 millimetres of rain by Wednesday, with prolonged heavy rainfall forecast to begin early this week. According to Environment Canada weather warnings, some areas could also see rain mixed with snow, raising concerns about rising river levels and localized flooding. Environment Canada has issued yellow weather warnings indicati
81-year-old-man-charged-with-second-degree-murder-after-fatal-shooting-at-port-alberni-trailer-park
BCMar 16, 2026

81-year-old man charged with second-degree murder after fatal shooting at Port Alberni trailer park

An 81-year-old man from Port Alberni has been charged with second-degree murder after a fatal shooting at a trailer park on Vancouver Island Friday night. According to a statement from the B.C. RCMP, Port Alberni RCMP officers were called to a report of a shooting at about 9 p.m. Officers who arrived at the scene found three men, including one who had suffered a gunshot wound. Police say the injured man died at the scene. His identity has not been released. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken conduct of the investigation and is working with Port Alberni RCMP. In a statem
canada-foreign-minister-anita-anand-to-visit-turkey-and-u-k-for-middle-east-talks
CanadaMar 16, 2026

Canada foreign minister Anita Anand to visit Turkey and U.K. for Middle East talks

Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, is travelling to Turkey and the United Kingdom this week for meetings focused on Middle East developments and strengthening bilateral ties. According to a statement from Global Affairs Canada, Anand is scheduled to meet with Turkish officials, including the country’s energy and foreign ministers, to discuss regional security and diplomatic cooperation. The discussions are also expected to include possible border crossing options for Canadian citizens seeking to leave Iran. During her stop in London, Anand will participate in the Chatham House

Related News