Manitoba’s new law prohibiting protests and demonstrations outside abortion clinics went into effect on Feb. 1.
The province’s NDP government introduced the bill last year. The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act creates buffer zones of 150 metres around abortion clinics, as well as around the homes of abortion providers.
Protests, demonstrations, and picketing are not permitted in the buffer zones. The law also restricts anyone from trying to convince a woman not to have an abortion if they are within the zones.
Photography and filming in the areas are also prohibited.
Anyone who violates the law could face a fine up to $5,000 for a first offence or $10,000 for subsequent offences. It also allows up to six months in jail for a first offence and a full year for a second offence….