Salmon Arm church among dozens across Canada vowing to gather without restriction for Easter

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A Salmon Arm church is among dozens across Canada that have signed up in protest of pandemic restrictions and vow to gather this Easter weekend "without government-imposed restrictions."

A total of 68 churches have so far signed up on the Liberty Coalition Canada website, under the "We Will Gather" banner.

Five Corners Church in Salmon Arm is among eight B.C. churches signed up to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Most of those involved are from Ontario, but there are also churches from Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.

"If your church will open publicly without government-imposed restrictions that violate personal conscience, the nature of worship, or the ability for people to participate (for example: honouring face-mask exemptions and not turning anyone way) and if you are an authorized representative of your church, please submit your church's information below to be added to this list," the website encourages.

The organization apparently began in Ontario under the Reopen Ontario Churches banner. It also promotes the End The Lockdown Caucus and Open Small Business campaigns.

"Liberty Coalition Canada exists to bring thoughtful Canadians together to lobby for a better way forward," its website states.

"A variety of urgent concerns face our nation. Alone we are incapable of producing meaningful change, but together, with a clear vision for a better future, we can bring about change for the good of all Canadians."

The organization says it hopes the effort will encourage churches "to stand together in unity and to oppose further lockdowns."

Participating churches in B.C. include:

• Riverside Calvary Chapel, Langley
• Capital City Baptist Church, Victoria
• Grace Christian Fellowship, Creston
• Aldergrove Canadian Ref. Church, Aldergrove
• 100 Mile House Baptist Church, 100 Mile House
• Resurrection Life Church, Surrey
• Faith Dominion Ministry, Surrey
• Five Corners Church, Salmon Arm

The move comes after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reversed course Monday and cancelled a planned exemption that would have allowed for some indoor church services to resume for Easter.