(dreamstime.com)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

closed today to reassess situation

Innisfail barbershop owners get court date for opening to customers

Jan 14, 2021 | 2:11 PM

The owners of an Innisfail barbershop that defied public health orders this week by opening its doors to customers have been given a court summons.

Natalie Klein and husband Yanik Brazeau of Bladez 2 Fadez barbershop are due in Red Deer provincial court on March 8.

They opened up Tuesday morning and were booked solid through Wednesday before being closed Thursday.

Klein admits it’s been a harrowing week despite the couple firmly believing they did the right thing.

“We’re taking a day to review things and consult a constitutional lawyer about the summons we received,” she explained.

pled guilty

Red Deer man gets 17.5 years in prison for sex offences in Florida

10m ago

building a caring society

Podcast: Panelists speak on upcoming World Religions Conference at RDP

2h ago

March 6, 2026 Incident

One of two suspects arrested in alleged Blackfalds armed robbery

2h ago

“It’s been extremely stressful, but the support has been overwhelming. There are a lot of people who are also being rude and offensive online, and not looking at the whole picture.”

Klein says they are trying to remain positive.

“I’m hoping that we can make a difference,” she says, adding she’s had numerous conversations with “political people” about the matter.

An AHS Environmental Public Health employee showed up Tuesday afternoon to do an inspection and deliver an order telling Klein she needed to close up shop.

Hairstyling and barbering services are not permitted to operate under the current public health restrictions. AHS says failure to comply with the closure order could result in fines up to $5,000 per day.

Klein says RCMP showed up around 4 p.m. Wednesday without AHS and issued a ticket under the Public Health Act. She claims the ticket didn’t have a fine amount listed and contained incorrect information.

This came after Klein posted to Facebook that because pet grooming is an essential service, they would also be offering, “pet grooming for humans,” adding they had pet food available for purchase.

A screenshot of a post from Bladez 2 Fadez salon on Jan. 13, 2021.

Alberta Health Services provided rdnewsNOW with the following statement late Thursday afternoon:

“AHS conducted an inspection of the Innisfail barbershop on Tuesday, at which time inspectors observed haircuts being done. AHS ordered the facility closed at that time. On Wednesday, an inspector observed that the business continued to operate despite being ordered to close Tuesday. AHS Inspectors observed haircuts being performed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“RCMP, an enforcement partner, issued two tickets on Wednesday under the Public Health Act.

“Additional charges under the Public Health Act are being considered pursuant to section 73: “a person who contravenes the act is liable to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $5,000 for each day or part of day during which the contravention occurs or continues.” The amount of the fine is determined by a judge after a successful prosecution.

AHS is also considering additional legal consequences.

(NOTE: This is a revised statement sent by AHS after a previous one contained an error, and was sent prior to the province’s announcement that hair salons and barbershops will be permitted to open by appointment starting Monday, Jan. 18)