The organization in questionsues
the Government of Quebec
(Quebec) The Christian organization behind the anti-abortion rally canceled in June by Minister Caroline Proulx is taking legal action against the government. Denouncing a "draconian assault by the state", Harvest Ministries International is seeking just over $200,000 in damages.
After sending a formal notice in June, the Kelowna, B.C.-based organization carried out its threat and filed an originating motion to sue the Quebec government civilly. The Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, the Société du Centre des congrès de Québec and the Attorney General of Québec are targeted by the initiative.
Minister Proulx's office indicated that no comment would be made since the matter is now before the courts.
According to Harvest Ministries International, Minister Proulx, by ordering the termination of the lease agreement at the Québec City Convention Centre, violated "without legal basis and without reasonable justification the rights guaranteed [of the organization] to freedom of religion, expression, opinion, peaceful assembly and non-discrimination on the basis of religion or political opinion."
The Quebec City decision is contrary to the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, says the document consulted by La Presse. The lawsuit calls the Legault government's move a "liberticidal assault on the state."
"The acts and omissions alleged here against the Minister and the Société are not based on any rule of law. This is a case of pure arbitrariness, based on the intimate convictions of people who have been temporarily entrusted with the levers of power," the application submitted to the Superior Court wrote.
An event that goes "against the fundamental principles of Quebec"Minister Proulx ordered the Crown-owned Québec City Convention Centre to terminate the lease agreement with Harvest Ministries International for the Faith, Fire and Freedom event in the nation's capital from June 23 to July 2. Ms. Proulx explained at the time that the event described as anti-abortion went "against the fundamental principles of Quebec."
Premier François Legault gave his support by affirming in the wake of his intention to prohibit anti-abortion groups "from being able to make big shows in public bodies."
The decision was first welcomed by the entire opposition, then the Parti Québécois and Québec solidaire qualified their position by asking the government to establish "clear guidelines" to frame the cancellation of events. The government explained that it will proceed "on a case-by-case basis," a position shared by the Liberals.
The Parti Québécois and the Quebec Liberal Party would not comment Tuesday on the filing of a lawsuit. The Liberals briefly indicated that the procedure "was predictable."
In a statement sent to La Presse, solidarity MP Ruba Ghazal reiterated the importance of establishing "clear guidelines to ensure that we protect freedom of expression without infringing on rights and that we do not let politicians decide." She had praised the "leadership" of Ms. Proulx when the news broke in June. According to La Solidaire, "questions arise for the future" and "this does not detract from the fact that there is a strong consensus in Quebec to protect the right to abortion."
The leader of the Conservative Party, Éric Duhaime, said that "it is not up to the government to ban an event on an arbitrary basis," recalling that "curtailing the freedom of expression of Quebecers is a slippery slope." In June, Mr. Duhaime had also asked the Legault government to "come to its senses" and cancel its decision.
Harvest Ministries International defines itself as a Christian organization that, "in accordance with its evangelical precepts," defends "pro-life political beliefs," but says the program of its gathering was not about this theme.
"That said, this lawsuit is not about the merits of Harvest's views on abortion, but rather the fundamental rights of Harvest, its members and followers to live their faith, express themselves politically and assemble peacefully without state hindrance," it wrote.
Compensation claimedIn the request, the organization explains that it was forced to cancel its event after being refused by 43 establishments contacted. The reasons given ranged from lack of availability to "fears of controversy knowingly triggered" by the government, it said.
Harvest Ministries International is therefore seeking $25,000 in damages for the "moral prejudice" suffered and $137,647 for material losses related to the cancellation of the event. The organization is also seeking $50,000 in punitive damages for "wrongful violations" of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
After sending a formal notice in June, the Kelowna, B.C.-based organization carried out its threat and filed an originating motion to sue the Quebec government civilly. The Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, the Société du Centre des congrès de Québec and the Attorney General of Québec are targeted by the initiative.
Minister Proulx's office indicated that no comment would be made since the matter is now before the courts.
According to Harvest Ministries International, Minister Proulx, by ordering the termination of the lease agreement at the Québec City Convention Centre, violated "without legal basis and without reasonable justification the rights guaranteed [of the organization] to freedom of religion, expression, opinion, peaceful assembly and non-discrimination on the basis of religion or political opinion."
The Quebec City decision is contrary to the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, says the document consulted by La Presse. The lawsuit calls the Legault government's move a "liberticidal assault on the state."
"The acts and omissions alleged here against the Minister and the Société are not based on any rule of law. This is a case of pure arbitrariness, based on the intimate convictions of people who have been temporarily entrusted with the levers of power," the application submitted to the Superior Court wrote.
An event that goes "against the fundamental principles of Quebec"Minister Proulx ordered the Crown-owned Québec City Convention Centre to terminate the lease agreement with Harvest Ministries International for the Faith, Fire and Freedom event in the nation's capital from June 23 to July 2. Ms. Proulx explained at the time that the event described as anti-abortion went "against the fundamental principles of Quebec."
Premier François Legault gave his support by affirming in the wake of his intention to prohibit anti-abortion groups "from being able to make big shows in public bodies."
The decision was first welcomed by the entire opposition, then the Parti Québécois and Québec solidaire qualified their position by asking the government to establish "clear guidelines" to frame the cancellation of events. The government explained that it will proceed "on a case-by-case basis," a position shared by the Liberals.
The Parti Québécois and the Quebec Liberal Party would not comment Tuesday on the filing of a lawsuit. The Liberals briefly indicated that the procedure "was predictable."
In a statement sent to La Presse, solidarity MP Ruba Ghazal reiterated the importance of establishing "clear guidelines to ensure that we protect freedom of expression without infringing on rights and that we do not let politicians decide." She had praised the "leadership" of Ms. Proulx when the news broke in June. According to La Solidaire, "questions arise for the future" and "this does not detract from the fact that there is a strong consensus in Quebec to protect the right to abortion."
The leader of the Conservative Party, Éric Duhaime, said that "it is not up to the government to ban an event on an arbitrary basis," recalling that "curtailing the freedom of expression of Quebecers is a slippery slope." In June, Mr. Duhaime had also asked the Legault government to "come to its senses" and cancel its decision.
Harvest Ministries International defines itself as a Christian organization that, "in accordance with its evangelical precepts," defends "pro-life political beliefs," but says the program of its gathering was not about this theme.
"That said, this lawsuit is not about the merits of Harvest's views on abortion, but rather the fundamental rights of Harvest, its members and followers to live their faith, express themselves politically and assemble peacefully without state hindrance," it wrote.
Compensation claimedIn the request, the organization explains that it was forced to cancel its event after being refused by 43 establishments contacted. The reasons given ranged from lack of availability to "fears of controversy knowingly triggered" by the government, it said.
Harvest Ministries International is therefore seeking $25,000 in damages for the "moral prejudice" suffered and $137,647 for material losses related to the cancellation of the event. The organization is also seeking $50,000 in punitive damages for "wrongful violations" of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
