Witness Testimony

James Coates, lead pastor of GraceLife Church in Alberta, testified that his church initially complied with COVID-19 public health restrictions in March 2020, including livestream services and reduced capacity. Over time, church leadership concluded that ongoing limitations on worship services conflicted with their religious convictions regarding church governance and biblical obligations. By late 2020, the church resumed full in-person services without adhering to provincial capacity limits.
In February 2021, Alberta Health Services obtained a court order under the Public Health Act requiring compliance. Coates testified that he declined to agree to bail conditions that would restrict his ability to preach and gather his congregation. As a result, he was arrested and remained in custody for approximately 35 days before being released. He stated that the church property was subsequently fenced off by authorities for a period of time.
Coates testified that his decision was grounded in the belief that civil authorities do not hold jurisdiction over the internal governance of the church. He described the legal proceedings as centered on constitutional protections for religious freedom and congregational autonomy. He emphasized that the issue, in his view, was not public health compliance alone but the broader question of the limits of state authority over religious practice.