A Langley church has been fined a second time for defying provincial orders against large gatherings during the pandemic.
Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Largy said a ticket was issued against the Riverside Calvary Church in the 9600-block of 201st Street on Sunday, Jan. 3 香蕉视频直播渇or conducting an in-person service in contravention of the Provincial Health Order on Sunday.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淎ttendees were seen in the church without masks during the service,香蕉视频直播� Largy added.
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It was a welcome development for Dena Fyfe, owner of the Buhf Beauty Boutique, which is located in the same building complex as the church.
香蕉视频直播淭hat was good to see,香蕉视频直播� Fyfe told the Langley Advance Times.
She had just had another morning of clients complaining that they had to walk past groups of people heading to the church without masks.
香蕉视频直播淢y parking lot was overflowing.香蕉视频直播�
Fyfe said she made repeated phone calls to police about the church services, because she could easily see the people crossing in front of her business without masks.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 just blatantly obvious,香蕉视频直播� Fyfe commented.
And frustrating for the business owner, who follows COVID guidelines that include requiring masks, physical distancing, hand sanitizers, and a limit on the number of people in her business.
香蕉视频直播淚 have a protocol of clients waiting in cars,香蕉视频直播� Fyfe said.
Following the issuance of the latest ticket, Fyfe has taken flak on social media.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e had people reviewing my business [online], giving it one star, calling me a 香蕉视频直播楰aren,香蕉视频直播� calling me a rat,香蕉视频直播� Fyfe related.
香蕉视频直播淭he court of public opinion is not happy.香蕉视频直播�
She is not intimidated.
香蕉视频直播淚 have a thick skin.香蕉视频直播�
However, Fyfe has decided to stop opening on Sundays because of the continuing issue of people without m masks.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 just a negative environment.香蕉视频直播�
The first fine against the Riverside Calvary church was levied after RCMP were called to the chapel on Sunday, Nov. 29, to investigate a report that in-person services were being held.
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As many as 19 churches in the Fraser Valley have been holding in-person services in defiance of a provincial ban ordered to slow the spread of COVID-19.
As reported in a church bulletin sent to members of the Free Reformed Church (FRC) of Langley at 20757 80th Avenue, there was a meeting of pastors and elders from churches in the Fraser Valley in mid-December, where they discussed the fines that have been levied against several of them.
香蕉视频直播淭here were some 50 pastors and elders of some 19 churches, mainly evangelical churches,香蕉视频直播� the bulletin reported.
As of that meeting, it was estimated that six to 10 churches in the region have been fined for defying the Nov. 19 order from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry that banned such gatherings in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases.
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香蕉视频直播淭hese fines will not be paid, but will be challenged through the court system,香蕉视频直播� the bulletin reported, with the help of the Justice Centre of Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) and advice from the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA).
Calgary-based JCCF describes itself as a 香蕉视频直播減ublic interest, non-partisan law firm and registered charity香蕉视频直播� that aims to 香蕉视频直播渄efend the constitutional freedoms of Canadians through litigation and education.香蕉视频直播�
JCCF went to court seeking a interim injunction against Alberta香蕉视频直播檚 COVID-19 restrictions, including bans on gatherings and mandatory mask-wearing, but the application was dismissed in December, with the judge ruling the restrictions can remain in place until a full hearing of the challenge is heard.
ARPA has campaigned against rainbow flags and legislation that bans so-called 香蕉视频直播渃onversion therapy.香蕉视频直播�
It香蕉视频直播檚 online mission statement says the 香蕉视频直播渕ission of ARPA Canada is to educate, equip, and encourage reformed Christians to political action, and to bring a biblical perspective to our civil authorities.香蕉视频直播�
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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