An Alberta preacher convicted for his actions protesting a library drag storytime event will remain confined to his home for the foreseeable future after hiring new legal counsel. Derek Reimer's conditional sentence, which was set to conclude in late December 2025, has been suspended pending a hearing on allegations he violated its terms five times.
New Legal Representation, Extended Confinement
Reimer appeared in Calgary court by video on Monday, January 5, 2026, where defence lawyer Alain Hepner informed the court he had been retained. Hepner is taking over the file from Andrew MacKenzie. This change in counsel, however, comes with an immediate consequence for Reimer: the clock on his one-year conditional sentence has been officially stopped.
The sentence, originally imposed on December 23, 2024, for a conviction of criminal harassment, included a period of house arrest. With the breach allegations now before the court, the legal mechanism automatically suspends the sentence's progress. This means Reimer remains bound by all its original conditions, including home confinement, until the breach matter is resolved.
Details of the Alleged Breaches
The Crown, represented by prosecutor Matt Dalidowicz, alleges Reimer failed to comply with his sentence on five separate occasions. Two specific accusations were outlined in court proceedings.
Firstly, Reimer is accused of violating his house arrest condition by not proceeding directly home after a court appearance. Instead, he is alleged to have stopped outside the Calgary Courts Centre to conduct a media interview.
Secondly, he faces an allegation of breaching a no-contact order related to the library manager he was convicted of harassing. The Crown contends a Facebook post made by Reimer that referenced the manager constituted forbidden contact.
Adjournment for New Lawyer to Prepare
With Hepner newly on the case, he requested an adjournment to review disclosure from the Crown and prepare. Justice Sandra Mah, who had previously denied an application by former counsel MacKenzie to hold the breach hearing before Christmas, scheduled the matter to return to docket court on January 16, 2026.
Reimer's original conviction stemmed from a 2024 incident where he approached a Calgary library manager while wearing an action camera to record a confrontation. He was complaining about an upcoming "Reading with Royalty" event, where drag performers read stories to children.
Separately, Reimer is also on bail awaiting a retrial scheduled for April 2026 on charges related to a protest at another similar drag storytime event. The outcome of the breach hearing for his current sentence could have significant implications for that pending case.
