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Ontario Bans Pro-Life Witness Outside Abortion Centers

Lianne Laurence : Oct 26, 2017
LifeSiteNews

"This law is the first step in silencing and criminalizing speech that is not the official opinion of the state. The whole process of fast-tracking this bill, and slandering pro-life people throughout, was a shame." – Jim Hughes

(Canada) — [Lifesitenews.com] Ontario's legislators passed a bill criminalizing pro-life speech and expression outside abortion clinics today by a vote of 86-1. (Photo Credit: Progressive Conservative Party leader Patrick Brown/ LifeSiteNews)

The far-reaching Bill 163 automatically outlaws all pro-life activity — including sidewalk counselling and showing "disapproval" of abortion — within 50 meters of Ontario's eight abortion centers, a distance that can be increased to 150 meters on request.

Bill 163 also allows hospitals, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities that do abortions, including providing the abortion pill — to apply for "bubble zones" banning all pro-life activity of up to 150 meters.

Individuals convicted of breaching Bill 163 face a fine of up to $5,000 and jail sentence of up to six months, which increases to a fine of up to $10,000 and a jail sentence of up to one year for a second and subsequent conviction.

Campaign Life Coalition blasted the Ontario MPPs for passing the bill.

"This law, which was drafted by Planned Parenthood and their allies in the abortion business, using feeling-based anecdotes and hearsays, lacked any real evidence that backed their claims of the war-like atmosphere outside abortion facilities," said Jim Hughes, national president of Campaign Life Coalition.

"This law is the first step in silencing and criminalizing speech that is not the official opinion of the state. The whole process of fast-tracking this bill, and slandering pro-life people throughout, was a shame."

Campaign Life Coalition will "pursue if necessary a challenge through the legal system to overturn this totalitarian law which directly attacks the freedom of speech, expression and assembly of Ontarians and prevents pregnant women from having access to alternatives to abortion," it said in a press release.

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