Stephens was arrested after giving a Sunday sermon at the Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary on May 16 and was jailed for three days. About a week earlier, Calgary Pastor Artur Pawlowski and his brother, David Pawlowski, were arrested after holding a church service, and pastor James Coates of Edmonton’s GraceLife Church was detained in February. …Stephens described the COVID-19 measures—including travel limitations, lockdowns, and quarantine—as a form of “soft totalitarianism,” which goes against Canadians’ Charter rights as well as Biblical teachings. “They, in essence, see themselves as governors of every aspect of people’s lives, including in your home, who can go in your home or not, or how many can gather together for church or outside or indoors. It’s really quite astounding that they think they have the duty or responsibility to do this,” he said.
