A Calgary mayoral candidate has been arrested in Edmonton in connection with an anti-masking incident at a shopping centre earlier this month.
Officers arrested Kevin J. Johnston, 49, without incident yesterday on a Criminal Code warrant for causing a disturbance and for being part of an illegal public gathering in contravention of the Court of Queen’s Bench Order.
It’s alleged that on Saturday, May 22, Johnston entered several stores at the CORE Shopping Centre in downtown Calgary without a mask, and reportedly verbally abused any employees who asked him to put one on.
He then left the stores, and returned moments later with several other unmasked people, who verbally confronted the employees while livestreaming the event.
The City of Calgary says authorities are still investigating the incident.
Johnston has been a vocal supporter of anti-lockdown protests, and faces earlier charges for allegedly violating COVID-19 health restrictions.
He is due in court on June 16 for violating a restraining order that he stay at least 100 metres away from Alberta health officers and not publish any threats or hate speech directed at them.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2021.