Earlier this year, we told you about an effort in Windsor, Ontario to stop a peaceful pro-life group from praying outside the local hospital. A local abortion activist group began a petition to pressure the Windsor Regional Hospital to apply for a bubble zone to block the activities of the local 40 Days for Life vigil. This group has been praying regularly outside the hospital since 2014. They do not approach people coming to the hospital but, if asked, will provide resources and support to women seeking abortion.
The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, which was passed in 2017, allows for hospitals that perform abortions to apply for a 150-metre “safe access” zone, also referred to as bubble zones.
Now, we are excited to share with you that the hospital has issued an official letter to both the pro-abortion and pro-life groups indicating that they will not be seeking a bubble zone around the hospital. In announcing their decision not to apply for this “safe access” zone, the Windsor Regional Hospital cited their commitment to balancing freedom of expression with patient care and privacy.
This decision recognizes the right to freedom of speech, as well as the reality that bubble zones do nothing to protect women. All these censored zones do is prevent women from seeing a pro-life witness and possibly accessing help and support, which at least two women have done in the time 40 Days for Life has been there.
Every woman deserves to know the truth about abortion. Every woman deserves access to support and another, better choice. Thankfully, no hospital in Ontario has yet been granted one of these “safe access” zones, and one less hospital will be applying for one.