The Crown has asked the Alberta court for a 12-month sentence plus probation for Calgary pastor Derek Reimer. The Mission 7 Ministries pastor faces a charge of criminal harassment, along with four counts of breach of a release order. The incident in question transpired in March 2023 at a local library, which was hosting a drag queen story hour for children. As per a video shown in court Thursday morning (filmed by Reimer), Reimer confronted a library manager by the name of Shannon Slater.Reimer asked if she agrees with these “pervert grooming sessions” where grown men dressed as provocative women read stories to children. Slater replied, “These are age-appropriate programs,” and said she was “offended” by the question. “You’re offended by me?” said Reimer in the video.“I’m offended by your corruption of kids.” Reimer asked her to verify her name and told her the public would know she enabled the “grooming sessions.”“You need to be held accountable,” said Reimer. .Derek Reimer found guilty of bail breach, given $500 fine for charge .The Crown prosecutor argued Reimer “targetted” Slater and called the interaction a “personal attack.” He also argued Reimer has a “lack of remorse.”Later Reimer posted a video of himself discussing the incident. “Shannon Slater thinks it’s okay” to host an event that grooms children, he said.The two videos, along with a Facebook post, formed the Crown’s criminal harassment case against Reimer.According to the Crown, Slater “felt threatened.”“What she felt happened to her was harassment,” said the Crown.“Hateful vitriol of Reimer to his followers,” he added, further claiming since Reimer has refused to take the post down, it’s still impacting the victim..NOT GUILTY: Street preacher Reimer acquitted on drag story protests .Defence lawyer Andrew MacKenzie argued the victim used the words “upset,” which does not constitute a reaction to harassment. He pointed to a far more egregious case related to pornographic stalking that got no time in jail, just one year of probation and a $500 fine.“That’s a lower sentence than what the Crown is proposing,” said MacKenzie.He argued the most troubling accusation against Slater was linked with child grooming,” and said “there was no suggestion (made by Reimer) that Slater was doing more than enabling by hosting (the event), not (that she was) a pedophile.”Slater herself had written a Victim Impact Statement, but she withdrew it the morning of the sentencing hearing. No reason was given..Derek Reimer to remain in jail after third arrest.The Crown recommended a lengthy probation on top of custodial sentencing to keep Reimer “on the straight and narrow.”“To ensure the public remains safe from criminal harassment,” he said.Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Karen Molle said the court would consider the fact that Reimer is the family’s breadwinner, he and his wife Mona have a newborn baby and that he is active in ministry.She pointed out a conditional sentence “could be more reasonable” than a custodial sentence.The judge said the case is not about the “protest at large” or Reimer’s right to “protest LGBTQ events.”“He’s been convicted of harassing an individual. (Slater) said she was personally targetted,” said the judge.Reimer “can protest without crossing the boundary of harassment.”MacKenzie asked for a conditional sentence in lieu of time already spent in custody..WATCH: Calgary pastor arrested for protesting drag queen story time.Reimer was given an opportunity to say a few words during the hearing.“I’m not the man the court and the media made me out to be,” he said.“That’s not the life I live now. I’m a man that’s been transformed by God’s grace, nine years ago.”“My past life has a totally different mindset behind it.”“I didn’t want to make a scene, I just wanted to talk to who’s in charge.“We’re concerned. What’s happening to Canada lately? It disturbs me greatly.”“I’ve been called by God Almighty to preach His word, feed the homeless and protect children.”“To expose what the Bible calls darkness and sin.”“I’m not here to hurt anybody. I’m here to serve God. What they’re doing is wrong, according to the Bible.”The judge reserved two weeks to make her decision. A sentencing date will be set on December 3.
The Crown has asked the Alberta court for a 12-month sentence plus probation for Calgary pastor Derek Reimer. The Mission 7 Ministries pastor faces a charge of criminal harassment, along with four counts of breach of a release order. The incident in question transpired in March 2023 at a local library, which was hosting a drag queen story hour for children. As per a video shown in court Thursday morning (filmed by Reimer), Reimer confronted a library manager by the name of Shannon Slater.Reimer asked if she agrees with these “pervert grooming sessions” where grown men dressed as provocative women read stories to children. Slater replied, “These are age-appropriate programs,” and said she was “offended” by the question. “You’re offended by me?” said Reimer in the video.“I’m offended by your corruption of kids.” Reimer asked her to verify her name and told her the public would know she enabled the “grooming sessions.”“You need to be held accountable,” said Reimer. .Derek Reimer found guilty of bail breach, given $500 fine for charge .The Crown prosecutor argued Reimer “targetted” Slater and called the interaction a “personal attack.” He also argued Reimer has a “lack of remorse.”Later Reimer posted a video of himself discussing the incident. “Shannon Slater thinks it’s okay” to host an event that grooms children, he said.The two videos, along with a Facebook post, formed the Crown’s criminal harassment case against Reimer.According to the Crown, Slater “felt threatened.”“What she felt happened to her was harassment,” said the Crown.“Hateful vitriol of Reimer to his followers,” he added, further claiming since Reimer has refused to take the post down, it’s still impacting the victim..NOT GUILTY: Street preacher Reimer acquitted on drag story protests .Defence lawyer Andrew MacKenzie argued the victim used the words “upset,” which does not constitute a reaction to harassment. He pointed to a far more egregious case related to pornographic stalking that got no time in jail, just one year of probation and a $500 fine.“That’s a lower sentence than what the Crown is proposing,” said MacKenzie.He argued the most troubling accusation against Slater was linked with child grooming,” and said “there was no suggestion (made by Reimer) that Slater was doing more than enabling by hosting (the event), not (that she was) a pedophile.”Slater herself had written a Victim Impact Statement, but she withdrew it the morning of the sentencing hearing. No reason was given..Derek Reimer to remain in jail after third arrest.The Crown recommended a lengthy probation on top of custodial sentencing to keep Reimer “on the straight and narrow.”“To ensure the public remains safe from criminal harassment,” he said.Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Karen Molle said the court would consider the fact that Reimer is the family’s breadwinner, he and his wife Mona have a newborn baby and that he is active in ministry.She pointed out a conditional sentence “could be more reasonable” than a custodial sentence.The judge said the case is not about the “protest at large” or Reimer’s right to “protest LGBTQ events.”“He’s been convicted of harassing an individual. (Slater) said she was personally targetted,” said the judge.Reimer “can protest without crossing the boundary of harassment.”MacKenzie asked for a conditional sentence in lieu of time already spent in custody..WATCH: Calgary pastor arrested for protesting drag queen story time.Reimer was given an opportunity to say a few words during the hearing.“I’m not the man the court and the media made me out to be,” he said.“That’s not the life I live now. I’m a man that’s been transformed by God’s grace, nine years ago.”“My past life has a totally different mindset behind it.”“I didn’t want to make a scene, I just wanted to talk to who’s in charge.“We’re concerned. What’s happening to Canada lately? It disturbs me greatly.”“I’ve been called by God Almighty to preach His word, feed the homeless and protect children.”“To expose what the Bible calls darkness and sin.”“I’m not here to hurt anybody. I’m here to serve God. What they’re doing is wrong, according to the Bible.”The judge reserved two weeks to make her decision. A sentencing date will be set on December 3.