How Quebec is getting a freedom-of-speech lesson from a controversial Christian group
CBC
An evangelical group is preparing to take the Quebec government to court for allegedly breaching its fundamental rights, after the province abruptly terminated a contract to host an event in a public space.
While some initially applauded the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government's show of support for women's right to choose at a time when abortion rights in the U.S. have been jeopardized, constitutional experts are saying the move casts doubt on the health of freedom of expression in Quebec.
Quebec Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx cancelled the gathering by Kelowna, B.C.,-based Harvest Ministries International (HMI) — less than a month before it was to take place — because she said the event was anti-abortion, which goes against "the fundamental principles" of the province. The contract dated back to February.
But HMI maintains that no anti-abortion content was part of the rally's program.
Samuel Bachand, a lawyer representing HMI, said, to his knowledge, the group has been unable to find another venue in the city to host the "Faith Fire Freedom" rally scheduled for June 23.
The gathering was advertised as part of the group's "Battle for Canada" prayer-and-revival movement, which seeks to have conservative Christians take over the Canadian political system and provides a platform for transphobic messaging.
HMI has had its fair share of controversies.
The group openly holds anti-abortion views, with its leader, Art Lucier, in online videos repeatedly condemning Bill C-150 — a law passed in 1969 that decriminalized homosexuality and abortion in Canada.
In the past couple of years, the HMI church has been fined thousands of dollars for disregarding public health orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bachand said the group will be filing a civil lawsuit by the end of June, claiming compensatory and punitive damages, constitutional declarations and other remedies.
He says the government is breaching Sections 3, 10 and 15 of Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, which relate to freedom of expression, discrimination and access to public space.
HMI issued a formal notice on June 5 to Proulx and the director of the Quebec City convention centre, saying it estimates the cancellation cost it $450,000 in material losses.
All three opposition parties initially backed the government's call, but within a week, the Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire had reconsidered their position.
And in no shortage of irony, the Liberal Party of Quebec — a party whose name bears the word "liberal" — doubled down against exercising freedom of expression. Interim leader Marc Tanguay said the government used an "exceptional measure" to keep out a group that describes abortion as "murder."
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