Quebec Premier François Legault’s minister of tourism Caroline Proulx has barred the religious group Harvest Ministries International’s event from taking place in the province’s “Centre des congrès de Québec.”
Harvest Ministries International is now having its legal representation funded by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF).
The religious group based in British Columbia planned to hold their religious, cultural, and artistic event ‘Battle for Canada” in the Centre des congrès de Québec from June 23rd to July 2nd.
However, the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) tourism minister Proulx caught wind of the event, believing that the conference had an “anti-abortion” theme, and instructed the congress centre’s CEO to cancel the event.
Harvest Ministries deny that the “anti-abortion” label can be attached to their event, saying that no speeches, performances, screenings, or themes of the programme were “anti-abortion.”
Proulx justified intervening to cancel the event by saying Harvest Ministries’ event violates Quebec’s fundamental principles.
Premier Legault backed up his minister and supported her decision when he was asked by the press.
“We will not permit anti-abortion groups the ability to conduct big events in public bodies,” said Legault.
“It goes against a fundamental principle of Quebec,” said tourism minister Proulx.
Legault, Proulx, and the CAQ have not clarified as to what fundamental principle of Quebec they are referring to, but Quebec’s legislature is almost unanimously pro-choice.
The CAQ government’s minister responsible for the status of women Marine Biron said that Harvest Ministries can find another private venue to hold their event, but Quebec’s pro-choice government has the right to deny them access to government-run venues.
“We are a resolutely pro-choice government, and we have to be consistent,” said Biron.
“It will not prevent the organization from finding a private venue if it wishes. Yes freedom of expression, but in government we have principles and we have decided to be consistent.
The JCCF is now funding Harvest Ministries’ legal action against the Quebec government, as their lawyer handed the government a formal notice to reinstate the event, lest they be sued for nearly half a million dollars.
“If the Québec government does not reverse its decision, we will quickly go to court and seek not only damages, but also punitive damages and constitutional redress… not to mention the millions of dollars that a potential class action suit by those affected could cost,” says Harvest Ministries leader Pastor Art Lucier.
