The issue of how close demonstrators can be to Windsor Regional Hospital was the hot topic before the hospital's board.
The WRH board of directors allowed time for two delegations to present arguments on either side of the question of whether a 150-metre bubble zone should be implemented around hospital property to allow for the safe, non-judgmental passage for patients to and from the hospital.
The groups on either side of the debate were both invited by the hospital board to give a presentation. These are Feminists for Action and 40 Days for Life.
Feminists for Action favours a bubble zone, and co-founder Lauren Crowley said the key issue is not abortion, but the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"Abortion is already legal, and already offered at this particular facility," said Crowley. "The interest in adding the bubble zone is protecting patients. It's about ensuring that patients and their families can access these services and the hospital without being reminded of any fertility or birthing issues."
Crowley and the other co-founder, Julie Edwards, began a petition drive in February asking for the bubble zone under the Safe Access to Abortion Act. In response to concerns over Charter rights, Lauren Crowley cited the Canadian Human Rights Coalition, which says protesting is legal, but harassment is not.
Laurie Eberhardt of 40 Days for Life is against the hospital, adding a bubble zone because her group feels it is not necessary. After pointing out that the hospital board previously rejected the idea of a bubble zone, Eberhardt says they already try not to attract unwanted attention, and their primary mission is not to confront but to pray.
"We're already a whole city block away from the front doors of the hospital," said Eberhardt. "We remain on the sidewalk. We've made an agreement with the hospital that we will keep our vigil to Tecumseh Road rather than being able to walk around the entire perimeter of the sidewalk."
The hospital board was expected to deliberate on the issue in an in-camera session on Thursday night. According to a statement issued by the hospital in March, approval for a bubble zone is needed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Attorney General before it can go into effect.
The Safe Access to Abortion Act already has a 50-metre zone around facilities that solely offer therapeutic abortion.
Laurie Eberhardt of 40 Days to Life addresses the Windsor Regional Hospital board of directors on December 12, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.