The pastor of one of the largest churches in Canada, and CEO of a Christian cable TV channel, has died at age 59, news media reported this weekend.
Pastor Leon Fontaine of Springs Church died on Saturday, the Winnipeg Free Press reported. Family members reportedly announced his death in a video shown Sunday at his church.
Springs Church is one of Canada’s largest churches with thousands attending its two sites in the provincial capital of Manitoba, and a third in Calgary, the largest city in Alberta. The church reportedly has a total average weekly attendance of 8,000. In addition to in-person services, the church also has drive-in and online services.
Fontaine was well-known as a prominent opponent of COVID-19-related restrictions during the pandemic. He would have turned 60 this Friday.
Fontaine’s family reportedly didn’t disclose details of his death and the church has declined comment to Canadian media. But someone who knew Fontaine for decades told the Free Press that his death was unexpected.
Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of “Hurt and Healed by the Church” by Ryan George. To donate, click here.
Fontaine and his wife, Sally, had pastored Springs Church since 1994. He became CEO of the Miracle Channel in 2010.
The cable TV station broadcasts sermons from Fontaine, as well as televangelists including Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen. It also airs popular preachers like Tony Evans, David Jeremiah, and Charles Stanley.
The nonprofit Miracle Channel Association reported revenues of more than $5 million Canadian in 2021, according to Canadian nonprofit watchdog Charity Data. Nearly $1.7 million of that was in donations, federal data indicate.
Canadian legislator Sen. Don Plett, who represents Manitoba and leads the opposition party in the Canadian Senate, said Fontaine’s “untimely passing” shocked and saddened him. He called Fontaine a “man of integrity who led with compassion.”
Correction: This article has been corrected to state that Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, not the capital.
Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas.
English 
Spanish
14 Responses
Physician here. The subtext is that he likely died from COVID 19. He was an antivaxxer because lack of in person church services impedes cash flow. This is an opinion, but it can be a logical conclusion.
Pastor Leon Fontaine loved loved His Heavenly Father above all else. He loved his family and he loved people. He served God. A man of integrity.
Pastor Leon preached for months outside in extreme Cold temperatures. He cared about people.
If he was opposed to the vax then at least we can be sure he did not die from adverse effects of “the vaccine”.
Totally agree with your Comment.
It states that He was opposed to the restrictions of CoVid ( i.e Closing of the churches etc) he was not opposed to the vaccine.
The article states that the Pastor was opposed to the restrictions of CoVid.
Such as, closing of church services etc. It does not say he was opposed to the vaccine.
Hard not to come to that conclusion.
Physician here. Covid does not exist, vaccines are causing more health issues and death then any flu. Please stop spreading falsehoods.
De mortuis, nil nisi bonum
Many churches today have eliminated In person Giving opting instead for automatic cash withdrawals.
Attendance is for faith building, education, social support, accountability, and oh yeah, Worship.
Stop making stuff up and have a heart!
Many believers prefer to carry their tithes and offerings with them, and physically present it as an active part of their worship. Stop deflecting and have integrity.
People die of many things. Just because he didn’t get the vax doesn’t mean he died of covid. I know hundreds of people that didn’t get that vax and are still alive and well. Let’s get real. Sad that he passed away. He is with Jesus now. No need to use this as a poltical tool to push a vaccine that is still in the experimental stage.
Leon died of a very aggressive cancer discovered on a recent vacation. His death was a shock. He was the real deal. so sad.
Whatever …just recently started to tune in to Leon Fontaine’s teaching and preaching ministry. I’m a 50+ years believer and I can say that truly this man was the real deal. God bless this ministry going forward what a legacy this man of God left. Hope the same can be said of others!