An independent MP is believed to be among the latest people charged in relation to the most recent large outdoor gathering at the Church of God Restoration in Aylmer.
The defiant church on John Street has held Sunday service with dozens of people in attendance for the past eight weeks in direct violation of provincial pandemic restrictions. The previous three services were held outdoors as the church building itself was locked by court order on May 14.
Video footage obtained by Aylmer police of this past Sunday's gathering showed more than 283 people in attendance. Independent MP Derek Sloan, 36, from Stirling joined pastor Henry Hildebrandt, 57, on the makeshift stage. It is the second time he has attended one of the church's services. He was previously charged in connection with the indoor service held on April 25.
On Thursday, police announced the Church of God has again been charged as a corporation with failing to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order under the Reopening Ontario Act. This is the third straight week the church corporation was hit with this charge.
A 57-year-old Aylmer man and a 36-year-old Stirling man are charged as individuals with failing to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order under the Reopening Ontario Act.
The latest charges come days after the church was back before a St. Thomas court for contempt. Superior Court Justice Bruce Thomas imposed new fines totaling $66,000 against the church, its pastor, and assistant pastor. In issuing the fines, Thomas stated there are “consequences that must flow" from the church's "brazen and self-promoting acts."
In a video posted to Hildebrandt YouTube channel addressing the latest fines, the pastor confirms the church has no intention of stopping its weekly gatherings.
"We must obey God, rather than man. We must continue to have meetings," Hildebrandt said in the just over 4 minute video. "We need to follow the word of God and we are doing that and we had amazing services on May 23 and another one on May 30 and we are looking forward to a wonderful, wonderful service this coming Sunday."
