Pro-Life Activists Contest Quebec Law Requiring Demonstrators to Maintain Distance
MONTREAL—A Montreal court is hearing final arguments today in a constitutional challenge of a Quebec law that requires protesters to stay 50 metres away from abortion clinics.
The Quebec Life Coalition and other plaintiffs argue that the 2016 law violates their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as guaranteed in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
They claim that the law hinders democratic debate happening in public spaces and therefore should be invalidated as “inoperable and unconstitutional.”
On the other hand, lawyers representing Quebec’s attorney general argue that the provision in the Act Respecting Health Services and Social Services was implemented to safeguard vulnerable women from harassment and intimidation.
They contend that restricting protesters’ Charter rights is justified when considering the right of women and staff to enter the facilities without being harassed by protesters trying to discourage them from accessing abortion services.
The arguments before Quebec Superior Court Justice Lysane Cree are ongoing this afternoon.
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