Three more outdoor church gatherings in defiance of provincial regulations; three additional sets of contempt of court charges and $90,500 more in fines against Aylmer’s Church of God and its pastors. That’s the box score from St. Thomas court this morning (Friday) where Justice Bruce Thomas levied the fines for services held May 23, 30 and June 6 with no COVID-19 restrictions observed.
Justice Thomas ordered the church doors locked on May 14 when dealing with the initial contempt charge. In total, the church has accumulated almost $400,000 in fines. Crown counsel Lisa Brost had sought $213,000 in additional fines today.
According to Brost, none of the fines have been paid to date.
Arguing on behalf of the church, London lawyer Lisa Bildy noted there is no evidence the coronavirus can be spread as a result of large outdoor gatherings. She suggested the province has done more harm than the church when it comes to large gatherings outdoors such as church services.
Bildy called the Crown’s position $213,000 in additional fines and costs are warranted as “an unconscionable amount” that is a “punitive burden” and not a deterrent.
“They have been punished severely already,” argued Bildy.
Brost stressed the fines have been imposed because the church was in breach of previous court orders and “there should not be any free pass.”
Justice Thomas urged everyone connected with the church to enhance their efforts to have all attending the services comply with public health regulations in order to function “to meet the spiritual needs of the congregation” so “we are not in court every week or two weeks.”
Pastor Henry Hildebrandt was fined a total of $30,000, Pastor Peter Wall $7,500, Herbert Hildebrandt $3,000 and the Church of God (Restoration) $45,000. In addition, Justice Thomas agreed to $5,000 in court costs.
