Hamilton councillors look to conceal 'triggering' anti-abortion flyers

In an effort to protect Hamilton residents from experiencing "severe harm" when they discover graphic images of aborted fetuses in their mailbox, councillors are calling for new city regulations.

Unsolicited anti-abortion flyers are routinely delivered to Hamilton homes for anybody to see, including children and people who have had an abortion or experienced pregnancy loss, said Coun. Maureen Wilson (Ward 1) at a planning committee meeting this week. 

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

Her motion requested staff look into developing a bylaw requiring flyers containing images of fetuses be concealed in an envelope with a warning label and name and address of the organization responsible for it. It passed unanimously by committee members and will go to council for a final vote.

The flyers direct the public to the website of the pro-life group the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CCBR).

CCBR Spokesperson Blaise Alleyne told CBC Hamilton the organization believes abortion is a human rights violation and is exercising its right to freedom of expression when it delivers the flyers.

Other cities have recently passed similar bylaws to the one Hamilton is considering including Woodstock, Ingersoll, St. Catharines and London, Ont., and Calgary. 

Blaise said these bylaws are "clearly unconstitutional" as they regulate "one particular type of message." The CCBR expects municipalities will be challenged in court.

'This is not about abortion,' activist says

Katie Dean told Hamilton councillors when she found a graphic flyer in her London, Ont. home's mailbox, it triggered a "trauma response."

Years before she'd made the decision to terminate her pregnancy after learning the baby wasn't developing properly and would likely die before or soon after birth. 

"I chose to terminate my pregnancy to save my child from pain and suffering," Dean said. "It's the hardest thing I've ever done but I have no regrets. That doesn't diminish the pain I still feel to this day."

When she saw the flyer, she said the grief and memories flooded back and she "went into a depression." 

In response, she co-founded the Viewer Discretion Legislation Coalition to advocate for regulations to protect others like herself from harmful imagery.

"This is not about abortion, it's about human decency," Dean said. 

Medora Uppal lives on the West Mountain and told CBC Hamilton when she found a flyer in her mailbox earlier this year, she said felt disturbed. As the CEO of the YWCA Hamilton, she's heard from other residents who'd had a similar experience and felt violated and angry. 

"The grotesque images are tied to something that is so precious and so fundamental to us that it takes on a different level of pain and worry," Uppal said. "It's about what this grotesque imagery is trying to do to undermine us.

"It's about our bodies and our right to control our bodies." 

Images of fetuses have been displayed on signs and flyers across Ontario for a long time by anti-abortion groups, said Uppal. But in recent years, some Canadians who believe in abortion access have looked for ways to push back against the movement, especially when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned constitutional protections for abortions south of the border.

"We recognize we actually can't take our rights for granted," she said.