Springs Church graduation investigation over, evidence under review
The investigation into a maskless graduation allegedly held by Springs Church in Winnipeg is now over and officials are reviewing the evidence to determine whether there will be any charges.
Photos of the graduation started circulating online late in May and showed people without masks.
Justice Minister Cameron Friesen said the investigation is now complete.
"Now let me be clear. If rules were broken, charges will ensure. But people should be careful," said Friesen. "Investigations must take place to determine if rules were broken. Appearances can be deceiving. They sometimes say a picture's worth 1,000 words, but those pictures have to be investigated."
Pastor Leon Fontaine, who attended the event virtually, defended the graduation the next day, saying it was a closed set and that students weren't required to wear masks for their final picture.
Friesen said public health was in charge of the investigation and that evidence has been turned over to officials.
He said the officials will now determine if prosecution is needed.
Friesen said the majority of churches in Manitoba have followed the public health orders but there are a select few churches and followers who have defied the orders in place.
"In the challenges we have faced as a society in the past, the faith community was often stepping up, to make a difference," he said. "I am really impressed by the creativity of groups. Church groups, community groups, other groups, non-profit agencies who say, 'Okay, how can we help.'"
Friesen said more information will be released when it becomes available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Competition bureau finds 'substantial' anti-competitive effects with proposed Bunge-Viterra merger
The proposed merger of agricultural giants Viterra and Bunge is raising competition concerns from the federal government.
Douglas DC-4 plane with 2 people on board crashes into river outside Fairbanks, Alaska
A Douglas C-54 Skymaster airplane crashed into the Tanana River near Fairbanks on Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers said.
BREAKING Mounties will not be charged in shooting death of B.C. Indigenous man
Three Mounties in British Columbia will not face charges in the killing of a 38-year-old Indigenous man on Vancouver Island in 2021.