Canada – Anti-abortion group’s Charter rights not infringed by city decision on bridge lights, judge says

Alberta March for Life Association filed judicial review after request to light High Level Bridge was denied

Nicholas Frew · CBC News
Posted: Oct 11, 2021

An Alberta Court of Queen's Bench judge has sided with the City of Edmonton, ruling that its decision to deny an anti-abortion organization's application to light the High Level Bridge did not infringe on its freedom of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In a decision dated Oct. 7, Justice K.S. Feth dismissed an application for judicial review from the Alberta March for Life Association (AMLA) and its vice-president Jerry Pasternak, stating they were unable to prove the city infringed on their Charter rights and that the city was biased.

Continued: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-judge-abortion-edmonton-high-level-bridge-1.6207009

11.10.2021

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Canada – NDP tables bill to ban pro-life protests near abortion clinics

Saskatoon / 650 CKOM
May 16, 2021

The Saskatchewan NDP wants to ban pro-life protests near abortion clinics.

Its Women’s Status Critic, Jennifer Bowes introduced a bill that would limit anti-abortion protests inside a “bubble” of 150 metres from any facility that performs abortion.

Continued: https://www.ckom.com/2021/05/16/ndp-tables-bill-to-ban-pro-life-protests-near-abortion-clinics/

New Zealand – Why we need safe areas outside abortion clinics

Terry Bellamak | Guest writer
March 8, 2021

This week, a bill that would ensure pregnant people seeking abortion don’t have to be confronted by angry mobs outside of clinics is expected to have its first reading. Terry Bellamak explains why safe areas are so crucial for vulnerable patients.

Last March, New Zealand legalised abortion. The new law changed many things for the better – no more seeking approval of certifying consultants, no more having to lie to come within the grounds in the Crimes Act. But due to a procedural misstep, safe areas did not make it into the final version. MPs asked too late for a roll call vote. To be fair, it was late at night.

Continued: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/08-03-2021/why-we-need-safe-areas-outside-abortion-clinics/

New Zealand – Voting mix-up sees abortion safe-zones axed and MPs ‘gutted’

Voting mix-up sees abortion safe-zones axed and MPs 'gutted'

11 Mar, 2020
By: Amelia Wade, Reporter, NZ Herald

Justice Minister Andrew Little is disappointed that proposed "safe zones" around abortion clinics got axed late last night in a voting mix-up.

But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who supported the proposal to establish 150m protest-free areas around clinics, has brushed off the error as "the outcome of democracy".

Continued: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12315875

Canada – Anti-abortion group hails appeal ruling against University of Alberta as victory for free speech

Anti-abortion group hails appeal ruling against University of Alberta as victory for free speech
UAlberta Pro-Life argued $17,500 security fee infringed on freedom of expression

CBC News
Posted: Jan 06, 2020

A student anti-abortion group has won one of its appeals against the University of Alberta, in a ruling being hailed by some as a victory for free speech.

The case dates back to 2016 when UAlberta Pro-Life tried to host a protest on campus.

The university approved the event but only if the group paid a $17,500 security fee. The group claimed that cost was prohibitive and violated its freedom of expression.

Continued: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/anti-abortion-group-hails-appeal-ruling-against-university-of-alberta-as-victory-for-free-speech-1.5416785

Canada – Priest charged in abortion bubble-zone flap to mount ‘free speech’ defence

Priest charged in abortion bubble-zone flap to mount 'free speech' defence

Kelly Egan
October 31, 2018

A Roman Catholic priest charged under Ontario’s new “bubble zone” law protecting abortion clinics is vowing to challenge the accusation as a violation of his constitutional right to freedom of expression.

Father Anthony Van Hee, 83, a fixture on Parliament Hill for his anti-abortion protests, moved his silent demonstration across the street from the Morgentaler Clinic, on Bank Street near Sparks, on Oct. 24.

Continued: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/priest-charged-in-abortion-bubble-zone-flap-to-mount-free-speech-defence

Canada – Graphic Anti-Abortion Signs Feel Like Visual Terrorism, But Should They Be Banned?

Graphic Anti-Abortion Signs Feel Like Visual Terrorism, But Should They Be Banned?
*Trigger Warning: This article discusses the graphic imagery used by some anti-abortion protesters*

by Katherine Singh
Sep 26, 2018

It was a typical Friday afternoon in July for Apiecalypse Now! owner Jennifer Bundock. The vegan pizzeria owner was driving to her east end Toronto location when she received a text from the manager of her west end location: “We’ve got a situation.”

Anti-abortion activists had set up shop in front of the restaurant with graphic signs. She pulled a U-turn and headed back to the Bloor Street spot, passing the old Honest Ed’s lot and pulling up 10 minutes later in front of her restaurant. Then she started live-streaming on Instagram. In a now-viral video, Bundock exits her car and confronts a group of anti-abortion activists, who were standing outside of her restaurant in plain view of the front window, holding large signs depicting dismembered and bloody fetuses. What the video didn’t show? Bundock’s customers, who were attempting to stand in front of the protestors’ signs when she arrived, trying to shield the images from passersby as well as the daycare and Girl Scout office around the corner.

Continued: https://www.flare.com/news/anti-abortion-signs/

German anti-abortion activist loses case against injunctions

German anti-abortion activist loses case against injunctions

The Associated Press
September 20, 2018

The European Court of Human Rights has rejected a German anti-abortion activist's case against injunctions ordering him to stop referring to abortions performed by various doctors as "aggravated murder" and comparing them with the Holocaust.

The Strasbourg, France-based court ruled Thursday on a string of cases involving activist Klaus Guenter Annen, who argued that the four injunctions against him issued by German courts interfered with his freedom of expression.

Continued: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/world/article218713625.html

20.09.2018

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Canada – Safe-access zones at abortion clinics are constitutional

Opinion: Safe-access zones at abortion clinics are constitutional

Joyce Arthur
Updated: May 31, 2018

There’s been much misinformation in the debate over Bill 9, the proposed safe-access zone law to protect Alberta’s abortion clinics. Surprisingly, those who oppose the bill seem unaware that British Columbia has enforced a very similar law since 1995 and it’s been held to be constitutional.

Since the Alberta law was closely adapted from B.C.’s law, we can be confident it will also meet Charter scrutiny. In fact, based on the legal soundness of the B.C. law, similar laws have recently been passed in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Ontario. Alberta is simply following in their footsteps.

Continued: http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-safe-access-zones-at-abortion-clinics-are-constitutional