New approach pitched to stop graphic anti-abortion flyers
Unsatisfied with a broad-based and toothless by-law suggested by civic administration, the Community and Protective Services Committee (CAPS) recommends a different tactic to stop graphic anti-abortion flyers from turning up in unsuspecting mailboxes.
The city solicitor had proposed a draft by-law for unaddressed flyers that gives homeowners the ability to post a clearly visible sign labeled ‘no junk mail’ or ‘no flyers’ on their mailbox.
The draft by-law, however, does not establish penalties for failing to comply.
After more than half an hour receiving confidential legal advice behind closed doors, the committee members emerged seeking a reworked by-law to specifically target graphic materials and not all unaddressed mail.
Councillor Jesse Helmer suggested stickers on mailboxes that prohibit delivery of specific graphic content.
“We don’t say you can’t deliver them at all,” explains Helmer. “We just say if people have indicated they don’t want them, you can’t deliver them.”
Last week, Blaise Alleyne, Eastern Outreach Director at Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform told CTV News in a statement, “We exercise our Charter rights in compliance with local by-laws, and may challenge by-laws which are unconstitutional — as our message is urgent and can make the difference between life and death for many children.”
Helmer railed against the flyers and their impact on unsuspecting people opening their mail.
“They’re putting them in people’s mailboxes and kids are seeing them. People who have had pregnancies terminated or had abortions are picking this stuff up in their mailboxes. It’s bad. They should not have to go through that!”
Councillors will hear from the public when an updated draft by-law is prepared by the city solicitor.
Helmer expressed his resolve to the committee.
“We have to find a way to stop it, unfortunately the organizations that are doing this, they’re relentless.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Stormy Daniels is expected to appear at Trump's hush money trial on Tuesday
Donald Trump returns to the hush money trial Tuesday facing a threat of jail time for additional gag order violations as prosecutors gear up to summon big-name witnesses including porn actor Stormy Daniels.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.