The pastor of GraceLife Church remains in custody following charges, a bail hearing in front of a justice, and a court appearance in front of a judge this morning.
On Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 the RCMP, with AHS, attended the GraceLife Church to assess compliance in relation to conditions issued to the Pastor on Feb. 7, 2021. Observations were made that the pastor was not complying with his Undertaking release conditions, and the church was not in compliance with the Public Health Order.
On Feb. 16, 2021, the pastor turned himself in to the Parkland Detachment. He was charged in contravention of the Public Health Act (x2), and charged for failing to comply with a condition of his Undertaking, under the Criminal Code. Following a bail hearing before a Justice of the Peace, Coates was to be released on conditions. He remained in custody overnight after refusing to agree to those conditions. This morning in Stony Plain Provincial Court he continued to refuse to agree with those conditions and a Judge's Order was issued compelling him to attend court on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.
"We've been consistent in our approach of escalated levels of enforcement with this pastor, and we were hopeful to resolve this issue in a different manner" said Inspector Mike Lokken. "The Pastor's actions, and the subsequent effects those actions could have on the health and safety of citizens, dictated our response in this situation."