Alberta Health Services prevents access to Calgary church for COVID-19 violations
Alberta Health Services has taken action against a southeast Calgary Baptist church that it says has repeatedly violated the province's rules regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials say Fairview Baptist Church, located at 230 78 Ave. S.E., was "physically closed" on Saturday, preventing all further access to the building.
"This action was necessary as the lead pastor of the church has continued to disregard public health measures required by law under Order of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) for the protection of the public," the AHS wrote in a statement.
"This closure order will remain in place until the pastor can demonstrate the ability to comply with these restrictions."
AHS says it has received 57 Environmental Public Health complaints in regards to the church relating to services exceeding capacity, minimal to no masking and no physical distancing.
"AHS has been working closely with Calgary Police Service (CPS) on this issue, however, none of the enforcement actions taken by either AHS or CPS to date have succeeded in gaining compliance."
This is the third time that AHS has taken the step of physically blocking off a building because of repeated violations of CMOH orders in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's also the second church to have been closed because of an AHS order.
Parkland County, Alta.'s GraceLife Church was closed on April 7 for the same reason.
Inspection reports released by AHS detailed a "consistent indifference to COVID-19 safety precautions."
That church's pastor, James Coates, was ticketed in connection with the situation at GraceLife. He was also arrested and held by RCMP for a period of time.
Fairview Baptist's pastor, Tim Stephens, was also arrested for organizing a service that was in violation of public health orders on May 16.
He was released later on a promise to appear in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.