October 26th, 2017

It was a sad day for freedom of speech, expression and assembly in Ontario yesterday with the passing of ON Bill 163.

Bill 163, which was fast-tracked through the legislature, creates so-called "safe zones" of 50-150 metres around the province's 8 abortion clinics and the homes of abortionists and clinic staff. Peaceful pro-life protesting and counselling women against abortion will now be banned within these areas.

The Bill was put forward by Liberal ON Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, but it was the Ontario Conservatives who unsuccessfully proposed passing the bill immediately after it was introduced with no debate or committee hearings. The bill received all-party support at third vote yesterday, October 26th. Noticeably absent from the vote were the social-conservative MPPs leaving Trillium Party MPP Jack MacLaren as the sole politician to vote against the bill.

The rhetoric surrounding Bill 163, including at the press conference and ensuing debate in the Ontario Legislature included fear-mongering and outright lies about the majority of peaceful and prayerful witnesses for life who work to protect women and their children from the harmful effects of abortion. Now, those attempting to preserve women from the often negative and lifelong effects of abortion must consider alternative ways to be a witness for the sanctity of human life.

How This Bill will Affect Pro-Life Counsellors:

Violators of the bill will face up to $5,000 in fines and 6 months in jail for a first offence. A second or subsequent offence will result in fines of $1,000-$10,000 and up to one year in jail.

MY Canada's Director Responds:

Our National Director, Faytene Grasseschi, filmed a Facebook Live video about the proposed "Bubble Zone" law prior to its passing. Please click the viewer below to watch it now.

What You Can Do:

Although this was a setback for witnesses for life in the province and a disappointing loss for pro-life Canadians across the nation, the battle is far from over; There is still much that we can be doing to stand in defence of the preborn.

1) Contact your MPP: If you live in Ontario, please contact your MPP to express your disappointment in this decision and concerns about Bill 163's evident overstepping of the freedom of speech, assembly and expression of Ontario residents.

Click here to find your Ontario MPP now.

2) Continue to Pray: This battle must be fought firstly, through prayer. Please pray that federal, provincial and municipal politicians, abortionists and abortion clinic staff, and men and women in general would have heart changes on abortion. Let's pray against deception and that the truth about the sanctity of human life would be revealed in the hearts of men and women in this nation.

Please click here to become a part of the Justice Wall initiative, building a 24-7 virtual prayer wall for the ending of abortion.

3) Help Us Continue to Fight Legislation like Bill 163: We are working hard to educate, motivate and mobilize Canadians to be a powerful voice against anti-life bills such as Bill 163. But we cannot do it alone. We rely on the generosity of our partners and donors to help keep us in the battle. Thank you for considering what you might be able to do to help us today. God bless you!!

Please click here to make a donation today!