Pastor charged with breaking COVID-19 health orders to appeal bail conditions
An Edmonton judge will make his final decision to grant pastor James Coates bail Friday morning. Lawyers tell Citynews if the pastor is denied bail, he will remain locked up until his trial in May.
Posted Mar 4, 2021 9:21 am.
Last Updated Mar 4, 2021 6:15 pm.
EDMONTON – An Alberta pastor accused of holding Sunday services that violated COVID-19 rules is to appeal his bail conditions Thursday.
James Coates with GraceLife Church, west of Edmonton, has been in jail for just over two weeks.
WATCH: Local pastor remains in jail
Coates is charged with violating Alberta’s Public Health Act and with breaking a promise to abide by conditions of his bail release, which is a Criminal Code offence.
The church has been holding services that officials say break public-health orders on attendance, masking and distancing.
A lawyer with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is representing the pastor.
