Edmonton church exonerated after being slapped with $80,000 in lockdown fines and six charges of obstruction
Church in the Vine (CITV) and Pastor Tracy Fortin were both convicted of three counts each of obstruction under the Public Health Act. Along with the convictions, an Alberta court levied an $80,000 fine for refusing to allow inspectors into the church while services were in progress to check for COVID compliance.
NEWS RELEASE 🚨
— The Democracy Fund (@TDF_Can) October 4, 2023
Church in the Vine and Pastor Tracy Fortin acquitted on appeal of all obstruction convictions:
The Democracy Fund (TDF) clients, Pastor Tracy Fortin and Church in the Vine of Edmonton were acquitted Monday by the Court of Appeal of Alberta after being fined more… pic.twitter.com/nDUCKLP65X
CITV and Fortin's battle with the Alberta government was detailed in the Rebel News documentary Church Under Fire: Canada's War on Christianity.
Our new documentary Church Under Fire is going on a cross province tour in Alberta next week. Don't miss the opportunity to see this with likeminded folks.
— K2 (@kiansimone44) August 16, 2023
Tickets at https://t.co/3iXQyf4JdL pic.twitter.com/Xgb6ANBdVW
Health inspectors and police had repeatedly entered the church during Sunday services until Tracy and her husband, Rodney, also a pastor, began turning inspectors away, politely telling them to return when services were not taking place.
Convictions were overturned on appeal on Monday thanks to a previous decision ruling that Alberta's COVID edicts were unlawfully applied.
Chris Scott is free - COVID orders all illegal, Ingram Charter ruling based on Alberta Government supplied misinformation.https://t.co/wkU6ZdKNED#abpoli #ableg pic.twitter.com/iYZDGtNxbZ
— Alberta Prosperity Project (@ABProsperityPrj) September 1, 2023
The Democracy Fund, a registered Canadian charity focused on defending civil liberties, hired an experienced legal team to represent CITV and Tracy at no cost to them.
The Fortins expect their $80,000 payment to the courts to be returned and issued their thanks to The Democracy Fund's donors for making their vindication possible.
Visit ChurchUnderFireMovie.com to support our new documentary about the persecution of Christian pastors in Canada.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Alberta Bureau Chief for Rebel News and host of the weekly The Gunn Show with Sheila Gunn Reid. She's a mother of three, conservative activist, and the author of best-selling books including Stop Notley.
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