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B.C.BԪַs compromise on in-person worship at three churches called BԪַabsolutely unacceptableBԪַ

Would allow outdoor services of 25 or less by Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack churches
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Langley RCMP has twice issued fines to Riverside Calvary Church in Walnut Grove. (Langley Advance Times file)

A provincial government proposal to permit limited in-person attendance by members of three churches in Langley, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack was described by their lawyer, Paul Jaffe, as BԪַa tiny little baby stepBԪַ that doesnBԪַt go far enough.

Jaffe confirmed the proposal was made after an application by the province for a court injunction was rejected.

It would allow outdoor services of no more than 25 members, with no singing, mandatory masks and no socializing after services, something Jaffe said was less than the churches were allowed during a brief period during the pandemic when in-person worship was allowed.

Jaffe called that BԪַa giant leap backwardBԪַ that is BԪַabsolutely unacceptable.BԪַ

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Jaffe views the proposal as BԪַa strategic move on the courthouse stepsBԪַ before a judge hears an application by the churches to have the ban overturned on Monday.

He said the proposal was made after the churches advised they would be seeking an exemption from the in-person worship ban.

All three churches have continued to hold services in defiance of the bans, and in January they petitioned the court to lift orders that banned or restricted public gatherings, BԪַas they unjustifiably infringe the rights and freedoms of the petitioners [the churches] guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,BԪַ according to the claim filed by their lawyers.

The B.C. government Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, have argued the restrictions are necessary to control the pandemic, which has killed more than 1,300 British Columbians.

BԪַChurches simply want to be treated equally,BԪַ Jaffe said.

The churches have been using physical distancing, hand sanitizer, and contact tracing, Jaffe said.

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In dismissing the application for an injunction, Justice Christopher Hinkson, the chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court, said the ruling was founded largely on the grounds that the province didnBԪַt need the courts to intervene with an injunction BԪַ there are already other powers the government can use to enforce the health orders.

BԪַTo be clear, I am not condoning the petitionersBԪַ [churches] conduct in contravention of the orders that they challenge, but find that the injunctive relief sought by the respondents should not be granted,BԪַ Hinkson wrote in his decision.


Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church at 35063 Page Rd. in Abbotsford is among three Fraser Valley churches that the B.C. government is trying to get a court injunction against for holding in-person services. Public health orders issued in November have banned such gatherings. (Google Maps)


Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, IBԪַm the guy youBԪַll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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