Although more vaccines are now rolling out across Alberta, there have continued to be instances of those defying COVID-19 public health orders.

James Coates, who was arrested last week and remanded in custody after refusing to agree to bail conditions, remains behind bars.

While pastor James Coates' legal team will argue his COVID-19 related charges violate his Charter rights, legal experts believe that won't hold up in court.

A Calgary church that had previously broken COVID-19 rules opened its doors Sunday and held a full service in support of the Edmonton pastor who remains in custody.

Hundreds of people gathered outside of the Edmonton Remand Centre on Saturday afternoon, protesting the arrest of pastor James Coates. 

James Coates, the pastor of GraceLife Church outside Edmonton, remains in custody after appearing in court before a judge Wednesday morning.

"There are many people who would be well-meaning and interested in helping out, unfortunately (it's) not the type of care that can be provided by a volunteer," Dr. Hinshaw said.

After Parkland RCMP and Alberta Health Services visited GraceLife Church on Sunday, they found the facility breaking COVID-19 rules yet again.

After defying Alberta's COVID-19 rules and AHS orders for several weeks in a row, GraceLife Church pastor James Coates was arrested by RCMP following this past Sunday's service.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw said her hands are tied when it comes to a rural church defying COVID-19 restrictions by hosting Sunday services with hundreds of maskless congregants.