The Quebec Life Coalition, along with other pro-life organizations, is challenging the ‘buffer zone’ law in Quebec, which they argue violates their freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Act Respecting Health Services and Social Services states:
No person may, within a distance of 50 metres from the grounds on which a facility or premises providing voluntary termination of pregnancy services are situated, demonstrate in any manner or in any other way intervene to
(1) attempt to dissuade a woman from obtaining such a service or contest or condemn her choice of obtaining or having obtained the service; or
(2) attempt to dissuade a person from providing, or from participating in the provision of, such a service or contest or condemn the person’s choice of providing, or participating in the provision of, such a service or working in such a place.
Attorney for the pro-lifers, Robert E. Reynolds, told a court on Thursday that the “inoperable and unconstitutional” law is preventing peaceful pro-lifers from offering “sidewalk counseling.” President of the Quebec Life Coalition, Georges Buscemi, said that sidewalk counseling is a peaceful way to offer alternatives to women who may be seeking abortion. Studies show that 64% of post-abortive women felt pressured to abort. At the same time, 67% received no counseling before undergoing the abortion and 79% received no information about available alternatives. Often, mothers face pressure from parents, boyfriends, employers, and friends to undergo an abortion.
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“The plaintiffs have without a doubt the right to peacefully exercise their right to freedom of expression … and more specifically on sidewalks in front of buildings where abortions are provided,” said Reynolds.
Despite the fact that women have expressed gratitude for pro-life sidewalk counselors who helped them turn away from abortion, Quebec’s attorneys said that the ‘buffer zone’ law is in place to protect vulnerable women.
Attorney Eric Canten said that in the case of this law, it is reasonable to limit pro-lifers’ Charter rights and that they could still spread their message outside of the 50-meter zone.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Lysane Cree has yet to rule on the case after hearing final arguments on Thursday.
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