by Angela Isidorou
May 14, 2022
The Crown has dropped 24 tickets totalling $55,200, issued in connection with COVID-19 public health orders to three pastors.
The Justice Centre represented Pastor John Koopman of Chilliwack Free Reformed Church, Pastor James Butler of Free Grace Baptist Church, and Pastor Timothy Champ of Valley Heights Community Church, who have all received tickets for holding services during the pandemic.
“For participating in worship in accordance with their religious beliefs, while implementing the same safety measures applicable to other in-person settings that were legal in BC, such as indoor gatherings in stores, restaurants and gyms, Pastor Koopman was facing charges on 23 tickets totaling $52,900, Pastor Butler on 25 tickets totalling $57,500, and Pastor Champ on 18 tickets totalling $41,400,” a Justice Centre statement reads.
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