Truck displaying graphic anti-abortion videos is driving around Hamilton. Police say it's not a crime

On her way home from work Wednesday morning, a Hamilton resident says she was subjected to "utterly disgusting" anti-abortion videos playing on a loop from large screens mounted in the bed of a white pickup truck. 

Courtney Whiteside said she was stuck driving behind the truck for about a kilometre on Dundurn Street that's one lane each way. 

At a red light, she took a video of the truck, with the screen showing a person holding what appears to be a bloody fetus and then links to an anti-abortion website.

The website, linked to a group called the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, says "abortion is a human rights violation." 

"Initially I thought this can't be legal," Whiteside told CBC Hamilton. "I understand people have various opinions but I don't think it's appropriate to display those images while you're physically driving a car." 

She didn't report the truck to police, but Hamilton police spokesperson Adam Kimber said they are aware of the truck's "billboards" that "may be disturbing." 

However, there's not much they can do about it, he said. 

"Displaying graphic content is not in itself a criminal offence under Canadian law," said Kimber. "Unless the material violates specific legal thresholds such as obscenity or hate speech, it is protected under the right to freedom of expression." 

Whiteside said besides the "horror" of seeing the videos, they proved distracting to drivers — with people slowing down to look — and she said the message is hateful toward women, their reproductive rights and those who choose abortion. 

The city's sign bylaw does not regulate signs on a moving vehicle, spokesperson James Berry said. 

"We appreciate the images may be concerning for some people," he said. "The city has not received any complaints to date."

Council has tried to address issue before

This is not the first time people have raised concerns about unsolicited, anti-abortion images, whether they are on banners hanging off an overpass, bus ads or flyers, but there isn't a law that specifically prohibits them. 

In late 2023, Hamilton city council requested staff to look into developing a bylaw requiring flyers containing images of fetuses be concealed in an envelope with a warning label.

Coun. Maureen Wilson (Ward 1) said at the time such images cause "severe harm" to children and people who've had an abortion or experienced pregnancy loss.

"It's very much a triggering event and continues to be a triggering event each time the encounter is made," she said. 

The bylaw hasn't been passed and the city didn't provide a comment before publication.