Appeal from Fraser Valley churches tossed out by Supreme Court of Canada

CHILLIWACK — The Supreme Court of Canada has tossed an appeal from three British Columbia churches over a COVID-19 order which they say violated their constitutional rights.

The case stems from orders issued by B-C’s provincial health officer banning indoor religious services more than two years ago at the height of the pandemic.

Abbotsford’s Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church, the Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack and Langley’s Riverside Calvary Chapel all argued the orders were violations of several sections of the Charter.

The high court’s decision upholds the B-C Supreme Court’s ruling in April 2021 that a temporary ban on in-person religious worship was a reasonable balance of other Charter rights and ruled Doctor Bonnie Henry acted reasonably.