The owner-operator of DeGroot's Nurseries said he made a mistake for allowing a pro-life group to host its annual bake sale near the garden centre's front door.
In a post on social media, John DeGroot said Lambton Right to Life enjoyed the privilege of hosting the bake sale outside the nursery for the past 20 or so years. He said a few months ago, he gave the group permission to return for the fundraiser on May 7.
DeGroot spoke with SarniaNewsToday about why he issued an apology following the event.
"[It] did cause a considerable amount of grief and concern, misgivings and even anger for a lot of people and I certainly did not intend for that to happen."
DeGroot said he also made the mistake of thinking that just because a pro-life group had a bake sale at the nursey that his clients would not necessarily believe that he aligned his values with theirs.
He said the timing was bad, the optics were bad and many people were disappointed. DeGroot added that the event brought about a fair amount of negative comments, mostly on social media.
"You know, I love social media when it spreads positive news but I really don't like it when it spreads negative news. I've also responded to five emails and I also had one phone call asking me for some clarification on some issues."
DeGroot said he has chosen not to respond on social media sites.
DeGroot also said the nursery won't be hosting or providing space for Lambton Right to Life next year.
"I've called them and I told them that at this point, we're not going to be doing that again," he said.
"We will certainly look at any request for anything because we want to play an active role in the community -- that's what we're all about and we pride ourselves in building the community and making Sarnia-Lambton a great place to live."
DeGroot said for those offended by the bake sale who choose to visit DeGroot’s again to please introduce themselves and give him the opportunity to apologize in person. He said residents who volunteer for, and are passionate about a particular cause, to please let him know.
In an emailed response, the Lambton Right to Life Board said they "are disappointed by DeGroot's response."
"We understand that this issue can be very emotional as we have received hateful emails/messages over this current situation, and many times before. Some comments we saw on the Facebook post were frankly disturbing, but we realize that the comments that are hateful come from a small minority within the pro-choice community, and do not represent the majority," read the message.
"We are grateful for the many years that the sale has been held at DeGroot's and wish them no ill will. Those who respond angrily and with hate are never placated by apologies and back-tracking; it only emboldens them to use intimidation more. We experienced a lot of goodwill and generosity toward us at the bake sale this year, so the sudden cancellation was surprising."
The board concluded by saying "robust debate is essential to a free society, and how we treat our smallest and weakest citizens is a measure of our humanity as a society".
The nonprofit is busing around 55 people to Ottawa for Thursday's March for Life event outside Parliament Hill, something they've been taking part in for 20+ years.
Earlier this month, Politico reported the US Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion.
On Wednesday, the Trudeau Liberals announced $3.5 million in funding to strengthen access to abortion in Canada.
With files from Natalia Vega