GraceLife Church In Canada Closed By Alberta Health Services - Fencing Put Up Around Facility

Fencing goes up around GraceLife Church west of Edmonton as AHS ‘physically closes’ facility

Caley Ramsay 

RCMP and members of Alberta Health Services were on scene at GraceLife Church west of Edmonton Wednesday morning to “physically close” the facility as temporary fencing was put up around the building.

Police were at the Spruce Grove church before 8 a.m. Crews could be seen putting fencing up around the building’s perimeter, as well as blocking off several parking stalls.

“Alberta Health Services physically closed GraceLife Church and has prevented access to the building until GLC can demonstrate the ability to comply with Alberta’s chief medical officer of health’s (CMOH) restrictions,” AHS said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Alberta RCMP confirmed officers were on scene to assist with enforcement.

Over Easter weekend, GraceLife Church’s parking lot was once again packed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

AHS said Wednesday that for “several months” the health authority has “attempted to work collaboratively with GLC to address the ongoing public health concerns at the site.”

RCMP and AHS inspectors have appeared at the church property several times during services to ensure public health measures are being followed and in previous weeks, officers have said “the church did not comply with the restrictions.”

In a news release Wednesday, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said it is outraged at the government’s “decision to enter private church property early this morning and put up a double barrier wall around GraceLife Church to prevent Albertans from exercising their Charter freedoms of peaceful assembly, association and worship.”