Petition

To: Niagara Regional Council

WHEREAS in a March 6 meeting, the Corporate Services Committee unanimously passed a motion requesting a report by July 10, 2024, on “how to govern the display of graphic images in the public right of way . . . including, but not limited to, images showing or purporting to show medical waste; images showing or purporting to show a fetus or any part of a fetus; or an image showing or purporting to show a dead or injured animal or human body or any part of a dead or injured animal or human body…;”

WHEREAS Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the fundamental freedom of expression;

WHEREAS this committee proposal presents an egregious and gross infringement on freedom of expression that is nothing short of totalitarian;

WHEREAS the definition of “graphic images” is so broad that it could encompass ultrasound photos (images showing a fetus), advertisements for meat (images showing a dead animal), and even some pictures of Canadian heroes with disabilities like Rick Hanson and Ryan Straschnitzki (images showing an injured human body);

WHEREAS Section 15 (1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that “Every individual . . . has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability;”

WHEREAS the definition of “graphic images” is obviously discriminatory;

WHEREAS even genuinely graphic images ought to be protected as a critical component of freedom of expression as they bring attention to perceived injustices;

WHEREAS protection for freedom of expression is meaningless and unnecessary if it only covers expression on trivial and uncontroversial topics;

WHEREAS the City of St. Catharines is already facing a legal challenge from the Association for Reformed Political Action regarding the limitations its by-law regulating the delivery of “graphic images” places on freedom of expression;

WHEREAS the City of London has just gone back to the drawing board on a by-law governing the public display of “graphic images” after councillors recognized its previous draft by-law was likely unconstitutional and city staff recommended against changing the current by-laws;

WHEREAS restricting the display of the images specified in the motion will result in foreseeable and severe harm;

Therefore, we the undersigned, demand that you immediately apologize and make no further attempt to restrict freedom of expression.

Sincerely,

[The undersigned]

Sign This Petition Now!

First Name:

Last Name:

E-mail:

City:

Postal Code:

Province:

Select One ------------------- AlbertaBritish ColumbiaManitobaNew BrunswickNewfoundland and LabradorNorthwest TerritoriesNova ScotiaNunavutOntarioPrince Edward IslandQuebecSaskatchewanYukon

State:

Select One ------------------- AlaskaAlabamaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUnited StatesUtahVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

Comments:

Do you wish to send a postcard?

Yes
No

(Note: If you choose Yes, CLC will mail a physical postcard, pictured here, in your name, to the petition target(s). You'll be asked to donate $1.75 toward the cost of postage & printing)

Remain Anonymous for web version?

Your signing will show up as "Anonymous" on the website.

Remain anonymous for print version?

When CLC delivers hardcopy of petition to the target recipient(s), your name will appear as “Anonymous”.

Sign me up for important alerts & updates from CLC