CHILLIWACK (NEWS 1130) — Churches in Chilliwack are once again defying a ban on in-person religious gatherings this weekend, but this time Mounties may drop the hammer.
Churches in Chilliwack continue to defy a provincial health order banning in-person religious gatherings. Chilliwack RCMP say they're investigating "in-person congregation services conducted" today. Last weekend, detachment said it was taking an educational approach. @NEWS1130
— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) December 6, 2020
Upper Fraser Valley RCMP tell NEWS 1130 Mounties are investigating a number of churches for hosting in-person services Sunday.
RELATED:
-
Fraser Health CEO asks church leaders threatening to defy COVID safety orders to cooperate
-
Metro Vancouver Jewish community planning for Hanukkah amid COVID-19 restrictions
-
Langley chapel fined for violating provincial COVID-19 health orders
-
Chilliwack churches’ claim COVID-19 order violates Charter likely wouldn’t hold up in court: lawyer
Cpl. Mike Rail says at this point, they’re not willing to say which — or how many — churches are being investigated.
“At the conclusion of a thorough investigation Chilliwack RCMP in consultation with the BC Prosecution Service will determine the next course of action,” Rail adds.
For the previous two Sundays, Chilliwack RCMP refused to hand out COVID enforcement tickets, choosing instead to take an educational approach.
A church in Langley was hit with a $2,300 fine for refusing to stop an in-person service that police discovered was taking place last Sunday.