Kevin J. Johnston sentenced in Delburne, Alta., COVID protest
Former Calgary mayoral candidate Kevin J. Johnston was back in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Friday, May 26 to answer to charges stemming from a protest in Delburne in April 2021.
Johnston faced criminal charges, including forcible entry, causing a disturbance, and mischief stemming from the protest, as well as three counts under the Petty Trespassing Act and a single count violation of the Alberta Public Health Act as the protest went against COVID-19 protocols.
The court heard how Johnston participated in an anti-mask protest outside a grocery store in Delburne on April 7, 2021.
During the protest, the owners of the grocery store locked the entry door in order to prevent protesters from entering the store. Video evidence showed two protesters, one of whom was identified as Johnston, use the exit door in order to gain entry to the store.
Johnston and the other protester were asked to leave the premises, but did not leave immediately; the owner of the grocery store then physically pushed them out through the door.
It was jointly recommended by both Crown and defense to issue an 18-month suspended sentence with a number of conditions, including a no contact order with the owners of the grocery store and a no go order preventing Johnston from attending the store.
Justice Mah also requested that Johnston write a letter of apology to the owners of the grocery store, and to be delivered at the discretion of a probation officer.
Remaining charges were withdrawn.
Delburne is located approximately 47 kilometres east of Red Deer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'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.
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.
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.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
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.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.