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 91裸聊视频渇or conducting an in-person service in contravention of the Provincial Health Order on Sunday.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淎ttendees were seen in the church without masks during the service,91裸聊视频� Largy added.
READ ALSO:
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.
91裸聊视频淭hat was good to see,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淢y parking lot was overflowing.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just blatantly obvious,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淚 have a protocol of clients waiting in cars,91裸聊视频� Fyfe said.
Following the issuance of the latest ticket, Fyfe has taken flak on social media.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e had people reviewing my business [online], giving it one star, calling me a 91裸聊视频楰aren,91裸聊视频� calling me a rat,91裸聊视频� Fyfe related.
91裸聊视频淭he court of public opinion is not happy.91裸聊视频�
She is not intimidated.
91裸聊视频淚 have a thick skin.91裸聊视频�
However, Fyfe has decided to stop opening on Sundays because of the continuing issue of people without m masks.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just a negative environment.91裸聊视频�
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.
READ ALSO:
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.
91裸聊视频淭here were some 50 pastors and elders of some 19 churches, mainly evangelical churches,91裸聊视频� 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.
READ MORE:
91裸聊视频淭hese fines will not be paid, but will be challenged through the court system,91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频減ublic interest, non-partisan law firm and registered charity91裸聊视频� that aims to 91裸聊视频渄efend the constitutional freedoms of Canadians through litigation and education.91裸聊视频�
JCCF went to court seeking a interim injunction against Alberta91裸聊视频檚 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 91裸聊视频渃onversion therapy.91裸聊视频�
It91裸聊视频檚 online mission statement says the 91裸聊视频渕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.91裸聊视频�
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
