Premier ‘appalled’ by ‘disgusting’ comments from alleged organizers of gathering linked to COVID outbreak

The premier says he's “absolutely appalled” by comments he's heard from alleged organizers of a faith-based gathering that has been linked to a spike in COVID-19.

Robert Smith, the pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Amherst, was fined today under the Health Protection Act for the event that took place October 25 to 29 in Amherst.

Several media outlets have reported Smith called the situation “unfortunate” in an in-person service last Sunday that was livestreamed in Facebook.

“This whole event has been hard, there's no doubt about that,” Smith said in the video. “It's been hard on me, not just emotionally, but physically. But we still have to glorify God … it's a choice each of us have to make.”

“People are trying to shame us, but I will never be ashamed of what I do for Christ,” he added. “Is the thing unfortunate? Yes, but I'm not ashamed because I did what I'm 110 per cent sure Christ wanted me to do.”

“The comments downplaying the seriousness of what's happening, the comments minimizing the loss of life are completely unacceptable and totally disgusting,” said Tim Houston at a Wednesday briefing. “Lives were lost.”

Houston said the $2,422 ticket handed to Smith is the highest fine possible, but he'd like to see that maximum amount increased.

“My gut tells me that whatever rules were in place, this particular group of people would have simply done what they wanted,” he stated. “That means it comes down to enforcement and compliance.”

Houston said his team will also review why it took so long for Smith to be fined and why he was the only one. 

“I can assure all Nova Scotians that the message has been sent loud and clear that enforcement delays are not acceptable,” the premier said.

The province said many who went to the faith-based gathering were not vaccinated, and that has led to secondary transmission in the Northern and Western health zones.

Earlier this month, the province's deputy chief medical officer said that secondary transmission was the source of the outbreak at a long-term care home in Pugwash.

Two residents at the East Cumberland Lodge have died.  “Another death in Northern Zone has also been linked to the gathering,” the province said in a news release today.

Under current COVID-19 regulations, those attending regular faith services, like a Sunday mass, do not need to be fully vaccinated, however Dr. Robert Strang says that exemption does not extend to other faith-based activities, including retreats, study groups or youth groups.

A  Bridgetown pastor who attended the faith gathering told the Canadian Press he believed organizers followed COVID-19 rules as they understood them.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church's Brandon Lake says the event was attended by “less than 100 people” and organizers believed they were following the guidelines they read on the provincial government's COVID-19 website.

With files from Canadian Press

This is a corrected story. The original stated Amazing Grace Baptist Church was in Bridgewater.