Abortion safe-zone bill passes final reading

Government says it will work quickly to stop protests within 50 metres of clinics

A bill to create protest-free zones outside abortion clinics has passed final reading and Ontario’s attorney general says his ministry is working quickly to make it enforceable as soon as possible.

“In order for the bill to come fully into effect, we have to get some regulations finalized” such as setting out exactly where the 50-metre zones begin and end, Yasir Naqvi said Wednesday. “With the same speed we have worked on this bill, we are working on those regulations and I’m hopeful we will get them completed sooner rather than later.”

Bill 163 was fast-tracked through the legislature in two weeks with the consent of all three parties. It sets out zones of 50 metres, and up to 150 metres, around clinics where protesters are forbidden from advising, intimidating or harassing women accessing eight clinics in the province.

A 150-metre boundary will also be in place around the homes of abortion providers and clinic staff.

Other facilities that provide such services, as well as pharmacies that dispense pregnancy-terminating pills, can also apply for a safe zone.

The bill was in response to an increase in incidents outside of clinics, in particular in Ottawa, where women were being routinely harassed and one was even spat on.

Naqvi called it a “very important piece of legislation ensuring that women have safe access” to abortion services, while also respecting the rights of those who wish to protest.

The legislation passed with the support of all three parties, with the lone vote against from MPP Jack MacLaren, a member of the Trillium Party.

While a few of his MPPs were not present for Wednesday’s vote, PC Leader Patrick Brown said at least two were dealing with personal health issues. Brown noted at least two Liberals, also known to hold anti-abortion views, were also missing.