â–º Listen Live
â–º Listen Live

Judge rules in favour of pro-life group in case against City of Lethbridge

A local pro-life group has won a court decision over the City of Lethbridge in a dispute over some controversial advertising.

Two years ago, the ads popped up on city buses, bus shelters and on benches, one reading “Pre-born babies feel pain another said “Life should be the most fundamental human right.”

The ads sparked a lot of negative feedback in the community and City Council later decided a few weeks later in 2018 to ban them after receiving dozens of complaints.

The Lethbridge and District Pro-Life Association (LPL) though said the ban by the City infringed on their rights of freedom of expression.

In Facebook post, the group says the court judgement stated the City’s decision to ban the ads was unreasonable.

“The Court also ruled that it was unreasonable to ban the ads on the basis of the LPL’s website and that rejecting the ads on the basis of inaccuracy does not accord with the right to freedom of expression because, “the fight to freedom of expression does not support the contention that the expression must be widely accepted, accurate or scientifically verifiable,” stated the Pro-Life Facebook post on Thursday.

Carol Crosson, a constitutional lawyer representing the pro-life group says this decision is a win for every Canadian who prizes the right to share an opinion free of government taking a biased position on one side while neglecting the duty to protect freedom of expression for all.

“The City should have considered our right to freedom of expression, and while the City contended that it did so, the Court found the opposite,” commented LPL.

The Pro-Choice Society of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta also issued a statement saying it does not support the recent decision made in the case between the Lethbridge Pro-Life Association and the City of Lethbridge, adding the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards allows advertisers, such as the City, to reject inaccurate ads.

Spokesperson for the Pro-Choice Society, Kallie Desruisseaux, says “we hope the City of Lethbridge will appeal this decision” adding “the residents of Lethbridge deserve better than being subjected to harmful and inaccurate messaging on government property.”

Mayor Chris Spearman stated on Friday, that the City would be looking over the decision.

Patrick Siedlecki
Patrick Siedlecki
Pat has been a mainstay in the CJOC News department from the time the station launched in 2007. He's been in the position of News Director since then and has been anchoring daily news casts as well as reporting and working behind the scenes. Community is important to him and keeping CJOC listeners and readers informed about what's happening across southern Alberta and beyond. Pat has been in radio broadcasting for the past 24 years, starting in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island in 1997 and then moving up island to Nanaimo for another few years before heading to Lethbridge in 2007. Pat grew up in the small Saskatchewan farming town of Foam Lake. After high school, he went to Western Academy Broadcasting College (WABC) in Saskatoon prior to moving to the island. Pat also spent several years broadcasting hockey in the BCHL as well as seven years as the radio voice of the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL. Pat has been working at Cornerstone Funeral Home in Lethbridge as a Certified Life Celebrant and Funeral Assistant since 2016. News and sports have always been Pat's passion from the time he was a teenager and he's always been grateful to have had the opportunity to make that part of what's been a fun and long radio career!
- Advertisement -

cjoc Now playing play

ckbd Now playing play

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

98.1 The Ranch’s Legendary Breakfast

The Ranch's Legendary Breakfast - brought to you by Beltone Hearing Centre highlights all the biggest country music hits from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.

The Ranch’s 90’s at 9

Brought to you by Meyers Original Food and Feed...

Police seeking two men in connection with sexual assault investigation

Police in Lethbridge are asking for help with an ongoing sexual assault investigation. 

Walking tours offer visitors and locals alike a glimpse at Lethbridge’s gritty true crime history

Designed for tourists and locals alike, the Lethbridge Historical Society and local historian Belinda Crowson have unveiled the brand-new tour program, Hidden History of Lethbridge Walking Tours. 

Hundreds line downtown streets for Lethbridge Pride Parade

The Lethbridge Pride Parade brought hundreds of people downtown on Saturday, June 28.
- Advertisement -