Edmonton-area pastor charged with violating COVID-19 restrictions to make court appearance

By Derek Craddock

Posted February 24, 2021 6:18 am.

Last Updated February 24, 2021 6:19 am.

STONY PLAIN – A pastor of an Edmonton-area church that has been allegedly holding Sunday services in violation of COVID-19 rules is to appear in court Wednesday.

James Coates with GraceLife Church in Spruce Grove was arrested last week.

RCMP have said he was remanded in custody after refusing to agree to bail conditions.

WATCH: GraceLife church continues to flout health restrictions

GraceLife church continues to flout health restrictions
With their pastor in jail, parishioners of GraceLife church say it’s the busiest Sunday service they’ve seen. While the church has refused to abide by COVID-19 restrictions for months, they were turning people away because of fire-code capacity.
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      The church has been holding services that officials said break public health regulations on attendance, masking and distancing.

      Police fined the church $1,200 in December and a closure order was issued in January.

      Coates was twice charged in February with violating the Public Health Act and violating a promise to abide by rules of his release, which is a Criminal Code offence.

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