Whistle Stop owner challenging court order disallowing anti-lockdown protests

RED DEER – The owner of a central Alberta cafe is challenging a court order that makes it illegal to organize and stage anti-lockdown protests.

Chris Scott is expected to be in court Thursday.

He owns the Whistle Stop Cafe near Red Deer, which had been defying public health restrictions by remaining open.

Last Thursday, On Thursday, the Court of Queen’s Bench granted a pre-emptive injunction against a planned protest by the operator of the café.

RELATED: Alberta Health Services granted injunction against Whistle Stop Café

The injunction defined the event as an illegal public gathering that does not comply with Dr. Deena Hinshaw’s requirements on masking, attendance limits, and physical distancing.

AHS said that it had tried to work with the cafe regarding the pandemic restrictions but that the restaurant continually disobeyed health rules.

The agency received more than 400 complaints against the business since January. The cafe will be closed until Scott can show he can comply with pandemic health rules.

Locks were had previously been placed on the doors to the cafe but people gathered outside Whistle Stop anyway over the weekend.

RELATED: Police hand out tickets to dozens leaving anti-lockdown protest at Whistle Stop Cafe

Scott was arrested on Saturday for defying the order and Mounties issued tickets to some other people attending the protest.

He’s now asking a judge to review the injunction.

In a separate case, the preacher of a Calgary street church and his brother were also arrested on Saturday for violating public health restrictions.

-with files from Angela Stewart, the Canadian Press