$80,000 fine for Edmonton church, pastor over public health violations
CBC
A provincial court judge has levied an $80,000 fine against an Edmonton church and its pastor for violating public health restrictions three times in 2021.
Tracy Fortin, pastor of Church in the Vine, refused to allow a public health inspector inside during Sunday services held on March 7, March 14 and June 5.
The inspector wanted to check on masks and social distancing but Fortin repeatedly turned the inspector away at the door.
"These were deliberate and intentional acts," Judge Shelagh Creagh said in a written decision issued Wednesday.
Two months ago, Fortin and the church, located at 12345 149th St., were found guilty on six counts of obstructing a public health officer.
"These offences are very serious," Creagh said. "Laws dealing with public health are of fundamental importance."
The judge referred to the state of Alberta's pandemic situation at the time of the offences and noted that Fortin bears a high degree of responsibility.
"Albertans were dying from COVID and our hospitals were challenged to accommodate and treat the sick," the judge wrote.
"Major surgeries were postponed and treatments for other illnesses were postponed. Long-term effects of the disease and the delay in other surgeries are still being identified."
The judge noted that the spread of COVID-19 within the community at large was a potential effect of the offence.
"Rumour and hearsay says one congregant had COVID, but that is not proven so I cannot consider it," Creagh wrote.
The lawyer representing the church and its pastor disagreed with the judge's reasoning.
"I think it's pretty safe to say that the Church in the Vine questions or rejects that narrative," James Kitchen told CBC News. "The judge obviously subscribes to a very standard narrative view of COVID."
The lawyer said the judge's sentencing decision disappointed his clients.
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