Alberta has shown Canadians that justice isn’t lost, that there are still those that are capable of setting aside their bias and political affiliations to interpret the laws in the ways they were intended.

We have written on several cases of church leaders vilified and judged for doing what God has called on them to do; for protecting and supporting their congregations in times of need, and for providing them the safe space to celebrate their faith.

Pastor James Coates of the Grace Life Church, along with his entire congregation, have suffered some of the most egregious attacks. From media, the government, fellow residents, and the courts. And for what horrendous crime was he judged? For having the compassion to offer services to his followers, for having the common sense to recognize the double-standards in the application of mandates, and for having the gall to believe that the rights afforded us under our Charter should be acknowledged. The right to peaceful assembly, association, and worship.

Pastor Coates tried to follow the mandates, but quickly noticed the imbalance in their application. Then, with the support of his congregation, he resumed in-person services. It wasn’t long before RCMP appeared every week to harass and intimidate everyone in attendance. Pastor Coates was jailed for noncompliance for over 5 weeks after being denied bail when he stood his ground against their bail conditions. During this time his church was seized and barricaded, guarded by armed police like some terrible crime scene.

Did this deter his followers? Not even a bit. They found other places to carry on in his absence, with new members flocking from miles away!

The end to his saga came with Justice Barbara Romaine and her decision that the Chief Medical Officer’s orders were “ultra vires” – beyond the powers afforded under the law. Simply put, they were overreaching and are therefore completely invalid. A decision that subsequently negates any charges applied under their authority. A true win for all Albertans!

We applaud Pastor Coates for his tenacity and willingness to remain stalwart in his convictions. He is an example for all.