Pastor Derek Reimer, known for his street ministry in Calgary and vocal opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, awaits a court decision after he was charged for protesting a drag queen event for children at Calgary’s Saddletown Library.
In February 2023, Reimer protested a drag queen story hour event titled “Reading with Royalty” that took place at Calgary’s Seton Public Library. He was physically thrown out of the room, but faced criminal charges for causing a disturbance and mischief nonetheless.
The trial for those charges concluded in May of this year and the decision will be released September 24.
In March 2023, after serving some time on remand and refusing to sign bail conditions that functionally barred him from protesting drag queen story hour events in any capacity, he was released on bail.
Shortly after, he protested a drag story event at Calgary’s Saddletown library in accordance with his bail conditions (not communicating with any known performer or spectator of the event, and staying 300 metres away from the event).
However, he was arrested again for criminal harassment of the library manager, Shannon Slater, causing a disturbance, and allegedly failing to comply with his conditions.
Reimer’s defense, Andrew MacKenzie, strongly contests the charges. MacKenzie is arguing that Charter protected rights, namely the freedom to engage in “shame on you” types of conversations does not constitute harassment.
A verdict on these charges is expected Wednesday.
