Project Ideas
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abortion Memorials ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Charity Car Wash........................................................................................................................................... 3
Door-to-Door Campaign ............................................................................................................................... 5
Giant Inflatable Baby Promoting WeNeedaLAW.ca ..................................................................................... 7
Lawn Sign for Election Campaigns ................................................................................................................ 8
LED Scrolling Message Board ........................................................................................................................ 9
March to Provincial and/or Federal Legislatures: Prostitution................................................................... 10
Missing Person Poster ................................................................................................................................. 11
Mobile Cross Display ................................................................................................................................... 12
Not for Sale/Slavery Map ............................................................................................................................ 13
Postcard Campaign ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Pro-Life Flag Display .................................................................................................................................... 17
Province-Wide Semi Trailer ........................................................................................................................ 18
Stand Up for Freedom................................................................................................................................. 19
Teach Your Congregation EasyMail ............................................................................................................ 25
Video Screening with Your MP ................................................................................................................... 26
Wheelchair Display: Euthanasia Campaign................................................................................................. 27
ABORTION MEMORIALS
Purpose: Create a visible display which can be seen by a large number of people, i.e. in a high-traffic
area (along a highway, at a busy intersection, etc.). Create dialogue about our lack of pre-born human
rights and encourage more involvement by raising awareness.
Logistics:
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Involve many members of the local church community (donations, construction, painting,
signage, etc.)
Select an appropriate message, or selection thereof:
o Bible passages
o We Need a LAW talking points
o Make use of any of the prolife posters from ARPA Canada’s billboard contest:
http://arpacanada.ca/79-uncategorised/1895-billboard-design-contest-finalists
o Effect of abortion on women
o Advertise a community town hall meeting
Determine your style of memorial (see chart below)
Ask volunteers from your church community, local schools or youth groups to build the display
Plan for media coverage by sending a press release to local newspapers. Delegate one member
of your group to be your spokesperson and to answer media inquiries. You can also arrange for
the WeNeedaLAW director to deal with media, just email info@weneedalaw.ca to arrange.
If you choose to host a town hall meeting, book a common space (i.e. not a church) such as a
library or community centre.
There is the need for a spokesperson. One idea is to organize in conjunction with a scheduled
trip of the WNAL director and he facilitates. In lieu of that, there needs to be at least one person
from the group who can articulate the pro-life position in respectful manner.
STYLE
Trailer/hay wagon
(Surrey, BC)
Fence posts (Smithers, BC
and Edmonton, AB)
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Semi-permanent (Coaldale,
AB and Oxford, ON)
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Mobile cross display
(Niagara, ON)
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(see page 11 for more details)
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PROS
Will bypass most municipal bylaws
(i.e. signage)
Can make use of smaller hay bales
Can be implemented in a wide
variety of areas (i.e. First Nations
man in Smithers with a cross on his
fence in a residential area, can
remain in place indefinitely)
Size
High visibility for a concentrated
amount of time
Easy to set-up
Inexpensive
1
CONS
 Not a very large display
 Time bound due to
weather and vandalism
 Difficult to advertise
with text and or
graphics
 Challenging to find a
high visibility location
 Time bound
 One-day exposure
(could be a positive)
Cost: Try to find individuals and/or businesses who can donate land, wagons, or fence posts, depending
on the style of memorial you choose. It is suggested to spend some money on producing professional
looking signage (i.e. ARPA Surrey spent $650 on signage). Hay bales can be donated, otherwise this is an
added cost. Town hall meetings would include a small rental fee (about $50-$100).
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CHARITY CAR WASH
Purpose: Raise funds for a women’s shelter or crisis pregnancy centre while also raising awareness
about the state of abortion in Canada.
Logistics:
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Good project for a young people’s group or teen club.
Find a parking lot, a church property in a high-traffic area or work with a local gas station to run
a charity car wash.
Make signs ahead of time and arrange for volunteers to hold them at the side of the road,
encouraging drivers to support a charity car wash.
Prepare a questionnaire identifying customers as pro-life or pro-choice (sample questions
below).
Hand out We Need a LAW literature and ask if they would like to join our e-newsletter list (have
a clipboard ready to collect email addresses).
Raise funds for either a women’s shelter or crisis pregnancy centre in your city or town.
Summarize the results of the survey and send them to your local newspaper for publishing.
Send email addresses to info@weneedalaw.ca to have them added to our database.
Cost: Minimal. Ask for volunteers to bring supplies from home. You may need to purchase additional
sponges, cloths, soap. Buy poster board and markers to make signs (or again, ask volunteers to use
supplies they may have on hand).
SURVEY
Would you be willing to answer a few questions? First, would you consider yourself pro-life or prochoice?
If pro-life, continue: (if pro-choice, see next set of questions)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Are you aware that in Canada you can have an abortion throughout all nine months of
pregnancy?
Did you know that Canada is the only Western nation with no restrictions on abortion and
that North Korea and China are the only other countries that have this in common with us?
Did you know that in Canada you can abort your pre-born child simply because it's a girl?
Would you support restrictions on abortion in Canada? Which of the following restrictions
would you support? (You can select more than one)
a) a ban on abortion from the moment of conception
b) a ban on abortion except in cases of rape or to protect the life of the mother
c) a law restricting abortion after twenty weeks gestation
d) a law requiring parental consent for pregnant girls aged 18 and under before they can
have an abortion
Would you be willing to place a weneedaLAW.ca bumper sticker on your vehicle?
If you want to learn more, or want to support restrictions on abortion in Canada, visit weeedaLAW.ca
3
We are collecting money for the (fill in the name) charity to help women who are dealing with an
unplanned pregnancy (or women in need). There is no set fee for the car wash – it is by donation only.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, can we have your name and email address?
Name:
Email:
Make sure all pro-lifers get weneedalaw.ca bumper stickers and literature.
(Pro-Choice questions):
1) Are you aware that in Canada you can have an abortion up until the 9th month of pregnancy?
2) Do you think we should have a law that says parents should be informed about and involved in
any medical decisions affecting their children and, in particular, the decision to have an abortion
(daughters below the age of 18)?
3) When you say you are pro-choice, what does that include? Do you think women have the right
to choose abortion up to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy? Or up to full term? Or only when
pregnant through rape, incest or when the pregnancy is a threat to the life of the mother?
4) If they are full-term abortion supporters thank them for their time. If they are not full-term
abortion supporters, ask if they would be willing to support a law to restrict abortions as per
their answer to question 3.
We are collecting money for (fill in the name) charity to help women in need. There is no set fee for the
car wash it is by donation only.
If they indicate they are not full-term abortion supporters: mention that they have a lot in common with
60-70% of Canadians who are not comfortable with the current state of abortion in Canada. Then ask if
they would like to be added to our mailing list, and can we have their name and email address?
Name:
Email:
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DOOR-TO-DOOR CAMPAIGN
Purpose: In support of We Need a Law: a three-fold purpose: (1) inform area residents, (2) identify new
supporters (this can be accomplished by using Google analytics to detect increased activity in a certain
area immediately following the delivery) and (3) attract media attention.
Logistics:
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Send media alert prior to delivery, the media may then be inclined to solicit feedback from area
residents following delivery.
We have 4 infographic style tracts ready to go and one full brochure. These can be edited
(maybe to include reference to the local group) or new designs can be suggested.
Map(s) of the targeted area is to be printed out.
Using whiteboard markers, routes are to be outlined on the map.
Volunteers meet at one central location, receive their map and are told which coloured route
they are to target.
It is recommended that volunteers use a waterproof lunch bag with shoulder strap. This way the
tracts/brochures are keep clean and dry and it makes the experience more comfortable.
Protocol:
o There are to be no less than 2 people together at any given time. Never deliver alone!
The most efficient method is to use a leap frog technique where one person skips one
house each time (i.e. first person does houses 1, 3, 5 and second person does houses 2,
4, 6, etc.) – this way you’re always together, but able to move quicker.
o Do not engage passersby! From time to time a resident will come out, see the
information and want to discuss. Volunteers are strongly advised to politely say
something like, “I am just a volunteer, you can contact someone through the website”
and then keep moving. The objective is to deliver material, not get involved in what will
inevitably be lengthy discussions.
Time commitment:
o A good average to strive for is 80-100 deliveries/person/hour.
o Door-to-door campaigns can be carried out in multiple ways, see our chart below for
two common examples.
CAMPAIGN TYPE
Ongoing: It can be an ongoing
action. For example, your goal
may be to deliver 10,000
brochures over the course of 3
months. People are invited to
meet at your central location
every week at a certain time
and whoever comes goes out.
One-time: You can also
coordinate a major effort on
one-day effort with the goal of
delivering 5-10,000
PROS
 planning is less intense as you
will be dealing with minimal
people each week
 engages the whole community
so excitement will be higher
(greater participation)
 impact on residents is large
5
CONS
 you will probably
struggle to achieve your
goal as fatigue will set in
for the organizers
 impact on community
will not be as great due
to small amount going
out at a time
 intense planning
required with more areas
mapped out
This effort should be very achievable with proper planning. It has the potential to engage a wide variety
of members from local congregations. It is also directly in line with the mission of WNAL in that it
involves grassroots activity and quite conceivably receives media attention.
Cost: There are different materials available and there are multiple ways the items can be purchased.
Local groups can be supplied with the artwork and then take to their own printer. ARPA/WNAL could
also purchase large quantities (better price point) and then resell back to local groups. Costs are below:
ITEM
4” x 6” tracts (colour,
double-sided)
Full WNAL brochure
COST/AMOUNT
$400 for 10,000
Three options (dependent on amount needed):
 $600 for 5,000
 $1000 for 10,000
 $2200 for 25,000
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GIANT INFLATABLE BABY PROMOTING WENEEDALAW.CA
Purpose: Raise the profile of We Need a LAW.
Logistics:
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Have ARPA group purchase a giant inflatable baby with a
WeNeedaLAW.ca logo on its tummy or feet, and then host
it in various locations around the city.
Many available from China:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/giant-inflatablebaby.html
Or get one custom made:
http://www.creativeinflatables.com/custom-shapeinflatables.html
One group could buy one and pass it on to the next
Alternatives: Could use other inflatable’s to get other
messages across
Cost: Approximate cost is $400+ (Blower included)
Benefits: Make a big splash without having to worry about zoning and other headaches. Businesses use
these all the time and don’t get in trouble.
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LAWN SIGN FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGNS
Summary: Instead of (or in addition to) offering free advertising to a party or candidate, we can use
election time to promote an issue via a lawn sign which indicates that we will vote for the candidate and
party that will take a public stand for pre-born human rights (or a different issue). It is imperative that
these signs remain non-partisan, you may not then endorse a candidate on the same sign – that would
make us appear to be supporting one party over others, which would prevent us from continuing the
work that we currently do – please bear this in mind.
Purpose: Keeps pre-born human rights on the minds of voters, candidates and media. It also shows that
there are votes to be won by standing up for pre-born justice.
Logistics:
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We Need a LAW provides a graphic
Local ARPA and pro-life groups get hundreds printed and distributed to local members
during a federal or provincial election campaign
Cost: $3 per sign (assuming 100):
http://www.yardsignscanada.com/bagsigns.asp
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LED SCROLLING MESSAGE BOARD
Summary: Purchase, install, and regularly update a scrolling LED message board to profile important
issues in a community.
Logistics: This requires just one person to look after from start to finish. It would work well in a small
town or big city – a changeable message would keep interest long-term. Program with messages such
as: “Important Vote in Parliament on Feb 2 – Ask Nathan Cullen to Vote Yes to Income Splitting.”
Cost: $200+ for a colour display (i.e. http://www.alibaba.com/productgs/1086472254/LED_scrolling_message_board_led_advertising.html?s=p)
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MARCH TO PROVINCIAL AND/OR FEDERAL
LEGISLATURES: PROSTITUTION
Purpose: Raise awareness about the need for a prostitution law and communicate that to your MP by
way of a march to his/her office.
Logistics:
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Schedule a day that works with your federal MP.
Issue a press release to the media and appoint a spokesperson and prepare with talking points.
Motivate the base – the whole community you represent – to save the date. Do bulletin
announcements, phone calls, facebook event, etc. This can be an all-ages event, although the
age group most likely to participate is high school/university
students.
Get signage from another local chapter or create your own
prostitution awareness signs
Purchase or design your own shirts for those marching to wear.
(sample t-shirts for purchase:
http://www.zazzle.ca/trafficking+tshirts or
http://www.cafepress.ca/+human-trafficking+t-shirts )
Scout the area for a large meeting place.
Have people arrive ½ hour before the march starts.
Educate the people again on the purpose of the march. Peaceful, non-confrontational, etc. Have
people assigned to holding the signage and marshals (wearing reflective vests) around the
perimeter to keep everyone safe. You may also contact the local police to make them aware of
the event, they may be willing to offer security or road closures, depending on group size.
Have a peaceful march to your MPs office (approximately 1-2 km).
At the office of the MP, read a prepared statement that one person is assigned to read. Since
the MP knows that you’re coming, he/she will likely have prepared a response.
Provide your MP with a copy of ARPA’s Respectfully Submitted: Prostitution paper (Sept. 2011).
Extra Step (optional):
o Meet your local municipal council and get a petition going, and present to them that the
people of your town/city do not want brothels, or any form of prostitution.
Done correctly the media should pick this up, the MP will know we are serious, and we will have stirred
an emotional response in our circles to an area of public policy that needs a lot of work.
Remember: this is time sensitive as the government has promised to introduce a new law this spring.
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MISSING PERSON POSTER
Summary: 3’ x 2’ removable sticker that can go on the back of a vehicle (or anywhere else), which looks
like a Missing Person poster but advertises the children missing through abortion and points them to
WeNeedaLAW.ca.
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Could use 3 real people and one silhouette – to show that we are not actually searching for this
individual
The bottom of the poster should say something like “one of 3,200,000 children missing from
Canada since 1969 because of abortion.”
Logistics:
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Design could be given to local ARPAs and other groups and printed locally.
Could also be printed by WNAL - sold to local ARPAs and other pro-life groups (minimum
quantity of 20) as well as at events (not sold individually by mail).
Challenges:
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May not be appreciated by people who actually have a missing loved one - they may argue that
these posters or stickers desensitize people to time-sensitive missing persons.
People may be willing to have it on their car for a while, but not too long.
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MOBILE CROSS DISPLAY
Purpose: A visible, mobile pro-life demonstration to bring awareness to the lack of laws in Canada.
Logistics:
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Inform the media two days ahead of time with a press release (a reminder the day of is helpful)
Choose high traffic locations and line the streets with volunteers about 10 feet apart
Take 100 crosses and get 100 volunteers to hold the crosses
Place a sign on each end of the row of volunteers, explaining the crosses (each cross represents
1000 abortions)
Rent a couple of buses (maybe your school has some) to move to 3-4 different locations during
the day
Spend 45 minutes per location and have a spokesperson ready to answer questions
End the day with a barbecue and time of fellowship
When the event is done convince the group to go to the
National March for Life and use the 100 crosses a second time
and march as a block with the crosses (if the cost of this is
prohibitive, consider the regional marches for life).
Following the March for Life, use the crosses in your
community and have the www.wenedalaw.ca website on
them. The average church has 100 addresses. They can place
them in front of their homes.
Cost: Supplies to assemble crosses (wood, nails), paint and signage. Additionally, there may be a bus
rental cost (or you can carpool) and cost for lunch.
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NOT FOR SALE/SLAVERY MAP
Purpose: To raise awareness of the reality of human slavery still happening here in Canada and to point
people to the connection between human trafficking and prostitution.
Summary: This type of a display would work best as a booth at a fair or in a mall or wherever there is
high pedestrian traffic. Set up a very large map of
Canada with numbered sticky notes affixed to every
location in Canada where there have been cases of
human trafficking prosecuted in the last few years.
A corresponding info booklet or poster board will
have the details about each incident. Included in the
display can be “Not for Sale” signs featuring children
and women.
Logistics:
Purchase a very large map of Canada (the larger, the better) and affix it to a large piece of sturdy
material so that it can stand up and be clearly seen. Here’s one for $25:
http://www.worldofmaps.com/product/canada_63_x_46_paper_large_wall_map/1_b_canada__other_
maps_rolled/A1185802R0105.html
An alternative would be to just focus on Ontario. A Southern Ontario road map can be purchased at a
gas station for less than $10.
Purchase sticky notes (dollar store or Staples), preferably the arrow type ones, and number them. Or
use large red push pins, and pin a small piece of paper with a number to the map.
Affix the pins/sticky notes to the map according to this website: http://slaverymap.org/#filter
The slavery map website also has corresponding information on each
location. Copy that information into a booklet form, being careful that
the information is easily matched to the numbers on the map, and
that the information is accurately corresponding.
If everyone wears these types of t-shirts (pictured right), that can be a
powerful statement too, especially when men wear them. Can be
purchased here: http://www.zazzle.ca/trafficking+tshirts or here:
http://www.cafepress.ca/+human-trafficking+t-shirts
Other images can be very powerful too – working with a graphic
designer could produce some eye-catching and thought-provoking
ideas, like this one. (Joy Smith relates that some girls in Canada are branded like cattle)
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A large number of volunteers are
least 5 manning the booth to
least 2 should be female and at least 2 should be male.
required – should aim to have at
answer questions, etc., of which at
Transportation and set-up of the map, etc. could be difficult, but once set up, it’s a display that can
remain for a long weekend. It can also be reused by other ARPA groups or by the same group in
different areas.
Cost: usually there are costs, sometimes very high, for setting up booths in malls and fairs, etc. Permits
might be required as well.
Prices at Rockton Fair: http://www.rocktonworldsfair.com/2014-fair-2/vendors
Resources:
Petitions – download here:
http://www.joysmith.ca/assets/petition%20swedish%20model%20of%20prositution%20-%20eng%20%20final%20-%20large%20font.pdf
Respectfully Submitted on Prostitution – hard copies available through ARPA Canada
Infographics – two designs available through ARPA Canada
Reproducing this RCMP pamphlet for distribution (the
RCMP might provide it free of charge):
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/http/publications/brochure-trafficking-traite-eng.pdf
EasyMail on site (through tablets, laptops, etc.) –
wifi/3G/4G connection required
14
POSTCARD CAMPAIGN
Purpose: Engage church/school communities. Develop among Reformed Christians a sense of obligation
when it comes to communicating with God-given authorities, do this by sending a message to MP(s).
Logistics: There are three ways we suggest this activity and we have highlighted them below:
Option 1: Distribute postcards via church mailboxes
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This requires approval of the church council.
Needs to be accompanied with an introduction and a few simple instructions. See next page for
suggested handout.
Option 2: Distribute postcards via local Christian high schools
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Request permission from teacher/principal
Focus on applicable subjects (law, Bible, Christian ethics)
See next page for suggested handout to accompany the postcards
Option 3: Facilitate Postcard Parties
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Order postcards, pizza and pop
Invite church membership to a Friday night postcard party
Pass out instructions and divide everyone into groups of 6
Give them all a list of MPs (contact info@weneedalaw.ca for list) of which 25 are marked for
each group
When the evening is over all the completed postcards are put in the mail.
Timing: While this type of hand-written communication to MPs is effective it should be sent while MPs
are in Ottawa. For example, if you organized a postcard party the second week of June the MPs wouldn’t
see them until they returned from summer break in September.
Cost:
MP postcards come pre-addressed. No postage is required for the House of Commons. There is ample
room for a brief personal message. Approximate costs are:
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$230/5,000
$380/10,000
$900/25,000
Local groups can purchase from area printer or through Minute Man Press. Alternatively, ARPA/WNAL
could order a bulk amount and then sell to the local groups.
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POSTCARD CAMPAIGN INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for taking part in this campaign by purchasing WeNeedaLAW.ca postcards to send to Ottawa!
You are now about to take the next step of political engagement by ensuring your voice is heard in the
call for legislation protecting Canadian pre-born children.
It’s very simple and will have a huge impact on how Members of Parliament deal with pre-born human
rights moving forward and therefore we are grateful for your participation.
Instructions for mailing postcards
1. Enter your MPs name on the postcard.
2. Be sure to include your name in the return address area. You DO NOT need to give your full
address, but name and city are encouraged.
3. The next step is to write your personal message. This does not need to take up the entire area
allotted and the simpler the better. Here are a few ideas:
a. A majority of Canadians are not comfortable with the status quo.
b. It is time for our government to protect pre-born children.
c. Please act swiftly in bringing Canada into line with every other Western nation.
d. The Supreme Court in 1988 was clear in advising that Parliament has a duty to protect
the rights of pre-born children.
e. Over 90% of Canadians want a law banning sex-selective abortions.
f. Please know that a majority of Canadians support restrictions on abortion.
4. The final step is to mail it. You DO NOT need to put a stamp on the postcard as all mail to the
House of Commons is free.
Help us promote the Postcard Campaign!
1. Spread the word! Tell others about it. Use social media to encourage your friends to place an
order or two.
2. If you do host a signing party at your home, school or church take a few pictures and send them
to us and we'll display them on our website as political action 'Success Stories'!
If you have any questions please contact us at info@weneedalaw.ca
16
PRO-LIFE FLAG DISPLAY
Summary: 100,000 blue and pink lawn flags, set up in a public park (i.e. Parliament Hill), with a sign
explaining that every flag represents one child who dies in Canada each year through abortion. It would
then move from town to town.
Logistics:
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Requires a lot of time to set-up and clean-up, be prepared with a lot of volunteers (assuming
you can place one flag a second, it will take 10 volunteers almost three hours to set up)
Surveillance would be required during the display to prevent vandalism
Consider doing this at the same time as March for Life
Issue a press release to media – it provides them with something to photograph/record, in
addition to a statement from your local group
This is a mobile display, so the idea would be to keep in one place for a short time before
moving to the next (i.e. multiple parks within a large city, or between communities)
Cost: $68.50 per 1,000 (plus shipping and import fee), approx. $8,500 for 100,000. Toro Company will
sell flags at $0.10 each (under 10,000), or $0.09 when purchasing 10,000 or more.
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PROVINCE-WIDE SEMI TRAILER
Summary: Get a group of ARPAs from one province to purchase or rent a tractor trailer, put a billboard
on both sides, and have it moved regularly from parking lots to busy freeways (i.e. not static).
Logistics:
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Ideally 3+ ARPA groups agree to take this on together;
Requires one project director and a rep from each ARPA group;
Approach businesses that may be able to donate an old tractor trailer, or sell it for little cost
(must be road worthy);
Project director consults with ARPA groups to decide on billboard designs;
Quotes obtained for making signs, insurance, trailer, other costs;
Total costs put into a one-page business plan, which goes to the churches/businesses from the
ARPA groups that are sponsoring this, for example: Niagara, Hamilton, Oxford, and SW Ontario
ARPA co-sponsor; with a total cost of $14,000 each group would be required to raise $3,500;
Project director and local ARPAs find truck drivers and locations so trailer can be moved from
place to place (e.g. every 2 or 4 weeks);
When the trailer comes to an area for the first time, a press release can be distributed to local
media; Mike would be willing to do this on behalf of We Need a LAW, if requested;
Trailer can be made semi-permanent if need be.
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STAND UP FOR FREEDOM
Summary: This project is the only one that is just good, ol’ fashioned lobbying. Each of our four target
provinces needs significant amendments to their human rights codes or acts. Instead of trying to do lots
of different changes to each code or attempting total abolition, an incremental approach is probably
going to be more effective. Listed below is just ONE amendment worth pursuing in each province
(Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and BC). This is totally doable! One ARPA group (Baarhead/Neerlandia) was
able to meet and stay in contact with the Justice Minister in Alberta. They have an ongoing relationship
with him and continue to push for change to their hate speech law, and he remains receptive.
Logistics: Collaborate with other ARPA groups in your province – those who are interested in this
particular project should work together.
Be bold. Set up (or continue to try to set up, until you get an absolute “no”) a meeting with the Justice
Minister/Attorney General of your province in their government office. Have reps from each local ARPA
group (that want to participate) there. If you prefer, schedule for a time that André is available to
accompany you.
If the above fails, set up a meeting with your local MLA/MPP at their constituency office.
Already before the meeting is set up, do research on the particular section that you’ll be tackling. André
will have lots of information available for you including a summary of the issue (also below), talking
points, and a more in depth legal analysis.
At the meeting, be courteous, focused and direct:
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There are problems with the Code – here is one in particular that needs to be fixed;
Here is why it needs to be fixed – story of infringements on liberty;
Here is our solution on how it can be fixed easily and properly - what do you think?
And, how can we help you get this passed as soon as possible?
KEY: FOLLOW UP after the meeting. Regularly. If the minister makes a promise (either to “look into it” or
to “do something” or to even make a change) hold his/her feet to the fire!
OPTIONAL ADD-ON #1: Organize a letter-writing campaign for the mainstream media at the same time.
Get every church in your province to get 10 people to commit to writing one letter on that exact topic
and submit to their local paper. Coordinate this with your other local groups in your province. A
concerted effort on a very specific change can go a long way, especially when media across the province
is picking up on all these letters insisting on change.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON #2: Same as above, except with letters to local MLAs/MPPs. Again, coordination is
key. Sample letters can be provided, and the SUFF website’s EasyMail will be active very soon, with
letters on these issues.
Challenges:
Every justice minister / attorney general is also a lawyer, which means that they might try to convince
you that there is not a problem at all, or that you’re misinformed, etc. Be willing to stand your ground.
Stories help!
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Also, cabinet ministers value their time, and don’t hand out meetings easily. Don’t be afraid to hound
their staff (politely!) for a meeting. Be persistent.
What follows is a list of four changes, one for each ARPA province. Find the talking points and action
items that apply to your local ARPA group.
ONTARIO:
Background: The Ontario Human Rights Code, section 24 (1) (a) does not sufficiently protect Ontarians’
freedom of association. We should be free to associate with others on the basis of race, culture, or
religion when engaging in corporate enterprise or charity without the government interfering. What
does this mean? In simple terms, the Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination in
employment (section 5). But it allows for exceptions in 24(1)(a) (see next paragraph) where certain types
of organizations can discriminate (associate) in their employment practices. So, for example, a Christian
school should be able to hire only Christian teachers (thus, technically, discriminating against Muslim
teachers or atheist teachers, etc.). However, this exception has been interpreted very, very narrowly
such that Christian care centers can’t hire only Christians, Christian schools can’t hire only Christians for
support staff work (admin, janitor, etc.).
Section Currently Reads:
s. 24 (1) The right under section 5 to equal treatment with respect to employment is not infringed
where,
(a) a religious, philanthropic, educational, fraternal or social institution or organization that is
primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons identified by their race, ancestry, place of
origin, colour, ethnic origin, creed, sex, age, marital status or disability employs only, or gives
preference in employment to, persons similarly identified if the qualification is a reasonable and
bona fide qualification because of the nature of the employment.
Change Requested:
The exception in the Code currently allows discrimination “if the qualification is a reasonable and bona
fide qualification because of the nature of the employment…” At the very least, this statement should
have an additional phrase added. It should read “… if the qualification is a reasonable and bona fide
qualification because of the nature of the employment, the institution or the organization”. Appending
these five words would direct our tribunals to consider the nature of the religious organization itself and
not simply of the job description.
However, the better alternative would be to remove the bona fide occupational requirement altogether.
Religious, cultural and racial groups should be allowed to hire only people who completely identify with
all parts of that community as long as the qualification is consistently applied by the organization and as
long as the employment limitations are for associational reasons. Thus, the section should read:
s. 24 (1) The right under section 5 to equal treatment with respect to employment is not infringed
where,
(a) a religious, philanthropic, educational, fraternal or social institution or organization that is
primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons identified by their race, ancestry, place of
origin, colour, ethnic origin, creed, sex, age, marital status or disability employs only, or gives
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preference in employment to, persons similarly identified if the qualification is a reasonable and
bona fide qualification because of the nature of the employment.
MANITOBA:
Background: Did you know that in Manitoba, the Human Rights Commission or any of its investigators
can search private homes, businesses, property, or personal files without a warrant? The Manitoba
Human Rights Code, section 27 actually allows this! This law violates the Charter guarantee of being free
from unreasonable search and seizure as set out in section 8: “Everyone has the right to be secure
against unreasonable search or seizure.”
Section Currently Reads:
Access to premises and documents
27 (1) Where the executive director or an investigator acting on the written authorization of the
executive director has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that access to any land, residence
or commercial premises will assist in the investigation of a complaint, the executive director or
investigator
(a) shall have access at any reasonable time to the land, residence or commercial premises; and
(b) may inspect any document, correspondence or record that is situated on or in the land,
residence, or commercial premises and is specifically relevant to the complaint, and may make
copies thereof or take extracts therefrom.
Authority for access
27 (2) Where a person refuses to grant access to land, a residence or commercial premises or refuses
to produce a document, correspondence or record for the purposes of subsection (1), the executive
director or investigator may, without giving notice to the person, apply to a justice for an order
authorizing the executive director or investigator to do any or all of the things authorized under
subsection (1).
Where order may be issued
27 (3) Upon hearing the application referred to in subsection (2), the justice may grant the order on
such terms and conditions as the justice considers appropriate, if satisfied that
(a) there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that access to the land, residence or
commercial premises will assist in the investigation of the complaint; and
(b) the authority for access is reasonable and necessary for purposes of investigating the
complaint.
Change Requested:
Rework these three subsections to bring them into compliance with section 8 of the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, as follows:
Authority for access to premises and documents
27 (1) Where the executive director or an investigator acting on the written authorization of the
executive director has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that access to any land, residence
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or commercial premises will assist in the investigation of a complaint, the executive director or
investigator shall apply to a justice for an order authorizing the executive director or investigator
(a) to access at any reasonable time to the land, residence or commercial premises where the
owner of the land, residence or commercial premise is present; and
(b) to inspect any document, correspondence or record that is situated on or in the land,
residence, or commercial premises and is specifically relevant to the complaint, and may make
copies thereof or take extracts therefrom.
Where order may be issued
27 (2) Upon hearing the application referred to in subsection (1), the justice may grant the order on
such terms and conditions as the justice considers appropriate, if satisfied that
(a) there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that access to the land, residence or
commercial premises will assist in the investigation of the complaint; and
(b) the authority for access is reasonable and necessary for purposes of investigating the
complaint.
ALBERTA:
Background: The Alberta Human Rights Act, section 3. Freedom of expression is one of the most
valuable and important rights, one that is necessary for a free and democratic society to function and to
exist. To delay improvements to the law is to delay justice and to impinge on democracy.
The time for change is now. The issue is fresh in the minds of Albertans; indeed, Albertans are calling for
change now. Individuals and organizations from across the political spectrum are making repeated calls
for change.
What have the courts said about the issue? The Alberta Court of Appeal urged the Alberta government
to review the hate speech provisions. In Lund v. Boissoin, 2012 ABCA 300 the Court concluded with an
admonition to the government stating that “the citizens of this Province are entitled to certainty when it
comes to exercise of their fundamental rights. It is ironic that the O’Neill Report, which inspired the 1996
amendments, recommended that ‘the Act be rewritten in plain language’. In my view, it would serve the
interests of the citizens of this Province if the Legislature would direct its attention to this objective.” We
agree with the Court of Appeal. In its current form, section 3 of the Act is confusing at best,
contradictory at worst.
The Supreme Court of Canada has also recently ruled on the subject. In the Saskatchewan (Human
Rights Commission) v. Whatcott 2013 SCC 11 ruling, the Court left the door wide open for provinces to
eliminate hate speech restrictions altogether – there is no constitutional requirement for them. In fact,
Justice Rothstein for the Court states, “I do not say that the marketplace of ideas may not be a
reasonable alternative, and where a legislature is so minded, it will not enact hate speech legislation.”
(para. 104, see also para. 106). Aside from Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan, no other Canadian province
restricts the free expression of ideas and opinions by way of human rights legislation.
The media, from both sides of the spectrum, have also called for amendments. From the Toronto Star on
the left (“As the Star has long argued, this is legal overkill that chills free speech” editorial, 28 Feb. 2013)
to the National Post on the right (the hate speech provision “is a particularly pernicious infringement on
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free speech” editorial, 28 Sept. 2011), and the Globe and Mail somewhere in the middle (“It’s time to
reign in [the Alberta Commission] before further damage is done to Canadians’ right to free expression”,
editorial 28 Feb. 2008) the mainstream national newspapers have all called for free expression. And in
Alberta, the Calgary Herald, the Edmonton Journal, and many more besides have argued in their pages
against section 3.
Alberta’s own politicians and leaders have also called for change. Former Premier Redford herself
recognized the problem of censorship already in 2011, when she first ran for Premier. She promised at
that time to restore free expression to Albertans by repealing Section 3. Likewise, the Official Opposition
led by Ms. Smith has made it official party policy to repeal section 3 of the Act.
There is no good reason for continued delay. The Courts, the media, academics, institutions, Albertan
citizens, and politicians are all calling for change. Act now to defend the freedom of public discourse, the
freedom of robust debate, and the freedom of published opinion for all Albertans. Give to Albertans the
same freedom enjoyed by the majority of Canadians.
Section Currently Reads:
3 (1) No person shall publish, issue or display or cause to be published, issued or displayed before the
public any statement, publication, notice, sign, symbol, emblem or other representation that
(a) indicates discrimination or an intention to discriminate against a person or a class of persons, or
(b) is likely to expose a person or a class of persons to hatred or contempt because of the race,
religious beliefs, colour, gender, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin,
marital status, source of income, family status or sexual orientation of that person or class of
persons.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to interfere with the free expression of opinion on any
subject.
Change Requested:
Amend the Act and either remove section 3 in its entirety (preferred) or, at the very least, return it to its
pre-1996 language (remove all words above that are underlined).
BRITISH COLUMBIA:
Background: The British Columbia Human Rights Code, section 7. Freedom of expression is one of the
most valuable and important rights, one that is necessary for a free and democratic society to function
and to exist. To delay improvements to the law is to delay justice and to impinge on democracy.
The time for change is now. The issue is fresh in the minds of British Columbians; indeed, British
Columbians are calling for change now. Individuals and organizations from across the political spectrum
are making repeated calls for change.
What have the courts said about the issue? The Alberta Court of Appeal, in weighing in on the exact
same section in their Human Rights Act (section 3) urged the Alberta government to review the hate
speech provisions. In Lund v. Boissoin, 2012 ABCA 300 the Court concluded with an admonition to the
government stating that “the citizens of this Province are entitled to certainty when it comes to exercise
of their fundamental rights. It is ironic that the O’Neill Report, which inspired the 1996 amendments,
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recommended that ‘the Act be rewritten in plain language’. In my view, it would serve the interests of
the citizens of this Province if the Legislature would direct its attention to this objective.” We agree with
the Court of Appeal. In its current form, section 7 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code is
confusing at best, contradictory at worst.
The Supreme Court of Canada has also recently ruled on the subject. In the Saskatchewan (Human
Rights Commission) v. Whatcott 2013 SCC 11 ruling, the Court left the door wide open for provinces to
eliminate hate speech restrictions altogether – there is no constitutional requirement for them. In fact,
Justice Rothstein for the Court states, “I do not say that the marketplace of ideas may not be a
reasonable alternative, and where a legislature is so minded, it will not enact hate speech legislation.”
(para. 104, see also para. 106). Aside from B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan, no other Canadian province
restricts the free expression of ideas and opinions by way of human rights legislation.
The media, from both sides of the spectrum, have also called for amendments. From the Toronto Star on
the left (“As the Star has long argued, this is legal overkill that chills free speech” editorial, 28 Feb. 2013)
to the National Post on the right (the hate speech provision “is a particularly pernicious infringement on
free speech” editorial, 28 Sept. 2011), and the Globe and Mail somewhere in the middle (“It’s time to
reign in [the Alberta Commission] before further damage is done to Canadians’ right to free expression”,
editorial 28 Feb. 2008) the mainstream national newspapers have all called for free expression.
There is no good reason for continued delay. The courts, the media, academics, institutions, citizens,
and politicians are all calling for change. Act now to defend the freedom of public discourse, the
freedom of robust debate, and the freedom of published opinion for all British Columbians. Give to
British Columbians the same freedom enjoyed by the majority of Canadians.
Section Currently Reads:
7 (1) A person must not publish, issue or display, or cause to be published, issued or displayed, any
statement, publication, notice, sign, symbol, emblem or other representation that
(a) indicates discrimination or an intention to discriminate against a person or a group or class of
persons, or
(b) is likely to expose a person or a group or class of persons to hatred or contempt
because of the race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical
or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation or age of that person or that group or class of persons.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a private communication, a communication intended to be
private or a communication related to an activity otherwise permitted by this Code.
Change Requested:
Amend the Code and either remove section 7 in its entirety (preferred) or, at the very least, remove all
words above that are underlined.
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TEACH YOUR CONGREGATION EASYMAIL
Purpose: Teach your local congregation to use EasyMail (emphasis on easy).
Logistics: Send a letter to your council requesting to speak at the next congregational meeting. Tell them
you wish to update the congregation on what the local chapter is up to, as well as teach the
congregation ARPA’s EasyMail system. Your presentation would be 10 minutes maximum.
One week before the congregational meeting, put a letter in the church mailboxes explaining that you
will be explaining how to send an EasyMail letter through ARPA’s website. Encourage them to try before
the meeting (explain that you can access EasyMail from the home page of arpacanada.ca for those that
may be unfamiliar with the website).
At the meeting after you give an update on your local projects, ask and get a show of hands as to how
many people have used the EasyMail system. Walk through the system (using a YouTube provided by
ARPA Canada) – be sure you have internet access at the meeting.
Once you have demonstrated how easy it is, thank them and ask them to join you in future appeals that
your local ARPA board makes. For example, as a local group you can recommend what topics to focus on
(sending EasyMail letters, prayer focus, research, etc.)
Extend an offer to sit down with anyone needing help to send an EasyMail letter (have volunteers ready
to help).
Optional: Offer everyone a mouse pad and/or a bookmark to help keep it on their hearts and minds.
Cost: None, unless you choose to order a mouse pad or bookmark to hand out. Contact
info@arpacanada.ca for logos.
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VIDEO SCREENING WITH YOUR MP
Purpose: Raise awareness about the hidden reality of prostitution: most women are trafficked into
prostitution and, if given the chance, would want to get out. Most Canadians, when this reality is
communicated to them, shift their opinion away
from legalizing prostitution to criminalizing the
purchase of sex.
Background: On December 20, 2013, the Supreme
Court of Canada struck down Canada’s prostitution
laws as unconstitutional, giving Parliament 12
months to create a new law before giving effect to
their decision. That means we have less than 12
months to get our society and our leadership on
board for the Nordic Model, a better and more
compassionate way of ending sex slavery. See more
about that with ARPA’s policy report here:
http://arpacanada.ca/attachments/article/1388/RespectfullySubmitted-Prostitution-English.pdf
Logistics:
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Fill out this application for a screening: http://redlightgreenlightfilm.com/host-a-screening/
Book a venue, (church, community hall, local library) and advertise (not just in churches, but also
in the broader community)
Extra challenge: try to get your local MPs to attend! This is very important for them to see.
o Better yet, get your MP to host the event, cover the costs, or sponsor the event.
Starting the meeting: introduce yourself, your sponsor, the purpose of the evening. Keep it
short. Show film. Allow discussion and questions after the film. Refreshments help. If MP is
present, perhaps allow him/her to take questions on public policy issues. For Ontario, Andre is
available to speak at this event if necessary.
Have resources available for those who come, including:
o ARPA’s respectfully submitted policy report on Prostitution;
o this petition: http://redlightgreenlightfilm.com/wpcontent/uploads/2013/10/Petition.pdf
o One page of talking points on prostitution (available on request)
o Optional: have the book Invisible Chains available for purchase
o Infographics – two designs available through ARPA Canada
o Reproduce this RCMP pamphlet (RCMP might provide it free of charge):
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ht-tp/publications/brochure-trafficking-traite-eng.pdf
o EasyMail on site (through tablets, laptops, etc.) – wifi/3G/4G connection required
Challenges:
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This needs to be done soon, i.e. this spring, or summer at the latest
Cost: There is a cost involved for a screening license of $195.
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WHEELCHAIR DISPLAY: EUTHANASIA CAMPAIGN
Summary: Install a couple of wheelchairs or walkers as displays in a city to urge public to learn the facts
on euthanasia.
Background: Polls show strong public support for euthanasia
and assisted suicide...until the misperceptions are cleared up
and the respondent knows exactly what euthanasia and
assisted suicide is. In the face of increased public pressure for
euthanasia, we need to be a prophetic witness to the value of
all human life.
Logistics:
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Find old wheelchairs or walkers (no longer used)
Have two signs made to be attached to wheelchair:
o One prominent sign could say “caring, not killing”
o A secondary sign can detail what euthanasia is and isn’t
o Could point to Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Secure signs to wheelchair with screws, so they aren’t ripped off
Secure wheelchair to bike stand etc., next to road and sidewalk
Get two people to stand behind the open wheelchair – asking questions to passersby about
their perspective on euthanasia and the upcoming Supreme Court case.
Media:
o This is the kind of display where the actual number of passersby will be limited. The
ideal impact would come through media coverage.
o Could take pictures of display with people behind it, email to local media with a press
release.
o Press release can state some key concerns about euthanasia and detail the group
behind the display.
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