Members of the Centre for Bioethical Reform, the group which has caused outrage with its practice of delivering pamphlets with photographs of fetuses to Calgary homes, are unwelcome to hold their demonstrations at the Calgary International Airport, a battle which has escalated to the courts.
In 2011, group members picketed on the arrivals level of the airport. The group, which carried large placards with graphic images, was removed from the premises and charged with trespassing.
The Centre for Bioethical Reform fought the charges and was victorious in court. In the summer of 2013, Judge Allen Fradsham ruled the group’s words and conduct were protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Fradsham’s ruling stated airports are places where members of the community can congregate and socialize, the modern day equivalent of a city street.
The demonstrations have not returned to the Calgary International Airport terminal, but the Calgary Airport Authority has taken steps to ensure the protests do not return. The Calgary Airport Authority has been granted an injunction which will ban demonstrations until a higher court hears the case.
In a statement to CTV Calgary, the Calgary Airport Authority says the demonstrations are an unwelcome distraction at the busy airport:
“The Airport Authority sough an injunction, as the activities were disruptive to airport operations and we received numerous complaints from passengers.”
Officials with the Centre for Bioethical Reform refused to comment on the court case, referring all questions to their lawyer. John Carpay, the attorney representing the Centre for Bioethical Reform, has not returned CTV Calgary’s calls.
