Alberta Court Strikes Down Pastor James Coates’s Charter Application

Supporters rally outside court as Pastor James Coates, of GraceLife Church, is in court to appeal bail conditions, after he was arrested for holding day services in violation of COVID-19 rules in Edmonton, Alta., Canada, on March 4, 2021. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

An Alberta Court has dismissed an Edmonton pastor’s claims that his Charter Rights of religious freedom were violated when he refused to comply with COVID-19 rules.

Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church filed a charter application, a pre-trial motion that individuals make when seeking remedy for violations of Charter rights, regarding a Dec. 20, 2020, ticket he received for holding church services that the Alberta government said violated COVID-19 restrictions.