A court has ruled that the city of Guelph, in the Canadian province of Ontario, was “unreasonable” to remove pro-life ads from buses. Pro-lifers have hailed the decision as a “big win” for free speech and the unborn.
The anti-abortion advertisements, removed from city buses in 2019 and 2020, were initially deemed “triggering” by one complainant, Fiona Douglas, who challenged their claim that unborn children are human.
One ad showed a pregnant mother and a woman holding a baby. It said: “Human rights should not depend on where you are. Say no to abortion.” The other ad read: “Life should be the most fundamental human right. Say no to abortion.”
After registering her complaint, Guelph’s Ad Standards council ruled in her favour.
But a pro-life group in Guelph challenged the ruling, as it violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, affirming the right to free speech. The court has now ruled in favour of the pro-life group.
“We are ecstatic!”, said Guelph pro-lifers. “This is a big win for us locally and the Canadian Pro-Life movement… We look forward to sharing life-affirming messages in our city once again.”
Last year, Northern Ireland Councillor Patrick Brown referred to a pro-life poster featuring a 10-week baby in the womb as “vile imagery”. He demanded that the posters be removed, calling them “extremely graphic” and “insensitive”, as reported by SPUC.
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “Attempted censorship of pro-life public statements is increasingly common in the West. That some pro-abortion persons claim to be ‘triggered’ by unborn babies, whom they refuse to recognise as human, underscores the vital need to stand firm and continue to communicate our life-saving message.
“The pro-life movement will not be silenced. Truth is on our side, as is the right to free speech. We must remain vigilant, however, and resist all attempts to restrict and cancel the fundamental truth that unborn babies are human and have a right to life.”
Similar stories
Politician labels image of 10-week baby in womb “vile imagery”
Anti-abortion billboard campaign to be extended after advert watchdogs reject complaints
Pro-life billboard ad removed after death threats