Bill Whatcott
Encyclopedia
William G. Whatcott is a Canadian social conservative activist who campaigns against homosexuality
and abortion
. The dramatic nature of his activities have attracted attention from the media, including an appearance on The Daily Show
. He has also run for political office.
He was born in Ontario and spent his youth in a number of foster homes, where he reports having been physically and mentally abused. At the age of 14 he went to live on the street. By the age of 18 he had an addiction to sniffing glue and supported himself through theft and work as a gay prostitute. At age 18 he reports having found God, and transformed his life. He spent time in jail and a group home, and the latter helped him enroll in nursing school. In 1991, he graduated from Humber College
, receiving his diploma in Practical Nursing with Honours, and was granted his nursing licence from the Ontario College of Nurses. Later that year he relocated to Saskatchewan, where he worked first for the Regina Health District and then at a Salvation Army senior's home.
In Regina he expanded his public campaign against abortion and homosexuality, with his goal to make both activities illegal. One of his most notable activities has been to travel to different Canadian cities and place graphic flyers in mailboxes. These include flyers with images of dismembered fetuses and flyers with pictures of diseases allegedly caused by gay sex. He also has protested at gay pride
celebrations and outside abortion clinics. On occasion he has also taken up other causes, including distributing flyers describing Muhammad
as "a man of violence" with images of a beheaded Indonesian girl. In 2001 he held a Heterosexual Pride Day parade in Regina. After the event turned out to be focused on anti-homosexual displays and speeches the city did not approve the event in subsequent years."
The graphic nature of his literature, and his protests have gotten him in repeated legal trouble. He has been arrested six times in Saskatchewan, but never convicted of any charge. He has also been arrested once in the United States and 20 times in Ontario and successfully prosecuted twice for violating the bubble zone around Dr. Scott's and Dr. Buriani's abortion clinics in Toronto. The injunction bars all prayers and protests from within 60 feet (18.3 m) of the abortion clinic. On Sept 2 1994, he was successfully convicted for the first time, receiving a 6 month stint in jail for violating the injunction at Scott's abortion clinic in Toronto by protesting at the clinic's entrance.
In 2005, he was fined $17,500 by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal for distributing material deemed hateful by the Human Rights Tribunal. His activities were investigated by the Edmonton police, for what one constable called an "affront on the basic tenets of our society," but no charges were laid.
He has also repeatedly run for political office. In the 1999 Ontario election he ran for the Family Coalition Party
in the riding of Toronto Centre
, finishing eighth with 232 votes. In 2000 he ran for mayor of Regina, finishing fourth of eight with 344 votes. In 2007 he ran for mayor of Edmonton
finishing sixth of nine with 1665 votes. He was also a frequent contributor to the conservative website Free Dominion
, from which he was eventually banned for disruptive behavior.
In 2006 he was interviewed by Ed Helms
for The Daily Show
.
clinic by picketing and referring "to its workers as murderers, abortionists and disseminators of AIDS." Bill Whatcott insisted that he was well within his rights of free speech as a private citizen to protest the clinic, as he was off duty and made no reference to his professional status. The judge disagreed and upheld the fine.
On appeal, a Saskatchewan appeals court overturned the ruling by the trial judge, and on May 29, 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada
endorsed the appeals court view that Whatcott's activities off duty was protected by the right of free speech and could not be used to suspend his nursing license. According to Whatcott's lawyer, if the original ruling had stood, it could have affected other professionals, such as lawyers or teachers, who take unpopular views.
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada, which has decided to hear the case.
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
and abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. The dramatic nature of his activities have attracted attention from the media, including an appearance on The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
. He has also run for political office.
He was born in Ontario and spent his youth in a number of foster homes, where he reports having been physically and mentally abused. At the age of 14 he went to live on the street. By the age of 18 he had an addiction to sniffing glue and supported himself through theft and work as a gay prostitute. At age 18 he reports having found God, and transformed his life. He spent time in jail and a group home, and the latter helped him enroll in nursing school. In 1991, he graduated from Humber College
Humber College
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning is a polytechnic college in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Humber offers more than 150 programs including: bachelor’s degree, diploma, certificate, post-graduate certificate and apprenticeship programs, across 40 fields of study. Humber serves...
, receiving his diploma in Practical Nursing with Honours, and was granted his nursing licence from the Ontario College of Nurses. Later that year he relocated to Saskatchewan, where he worked first for the Regina Health District and then at a Salvation Army senior's home.
In Regina he expanded his public campaign against abortion and homosexuality, with his goal to make both activities illegal. One of his most notable activities has been to travel to different Canadian cities and place graphic flyers in mailboxes. These include flyers with images of dismembered fetuses and flyers with pictures of diseases allegedly caused by gay sex. He also has protested at gay pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
celebrations and outside abortion clinics. On occasion he has also taken up other causes, including distributing flyers describing Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
as "a man of violence" with images of a beheaded Indonesian girl. In 2001 he held a Heterosexual Pride Day parade in Regina. After the event turned out to be focused on anti-homosexual displays and speeches the city did not approve the event in subsequent years."
The graphic nature of his literature, and his protests have gotten him in repeated legal trouble. He has been arrested six times in Saskatchewan, but never convicted of any charge. He has also been arrested once in the United States and 20 times in Ontario and successfully prosecuted twice for violating the bubble zone around Dr. Scott's and Dr. Buriani's abortion clinics in Toronto. The injunction bars all prayers and protests from within 60 feet (18.3 m) of the abortion clinic. On Sept 2 1994, he was successfully convicted for the first time, receiving a 6 month stint in jail for violating the injunction at Scott's abortion clinic in Toronto by protesting at the clinic's entrance.
In 2005, he was fined $17,500 by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal for distributing material deemed hateful by the Human Rights Tribunal. His activities were investigated by the Edmonton police, for what one constable called an "affront on the basic tenets of our society," but no charges were laid.
He has also repeatedly run for political office. In the 1999 Ontario election he ran for the Family Coalition Party
Family Coalition Party of Ontario
The Family Coalition Party is a small political party in Ontario, Canada that promotes a socially conservative ideology. It was formed in 1987 by members of the pro-life organization Campaign Life Coalition, and has fielded candidates in every provincial election since then...
in the riding of Toronto Centre
Toronto Centre
Toronto Centre is a federal electoral district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1872 to 1925, and since 1935, under the names Centre Toronto , Toronto Centre , Rosedale and Toronto Centre—Rosedale .Toronto Centre covers the heart of...
, finishing eighth with 232 votes. In 2000 he ran for mayor of Regina, finishing fourth of eight with 344 votes. In 2007 he ran for mayor of Edmonton
Edmonton municipal election, 2007
The 2007 Edmonton municipal election was held Monday, October 15, 2007 to elect a mayor and 12 councillors to the city council, eight of the nine trustees to Edmonton Public Schools, and four of the seven trustees to the Edmonton Catholic Schools...
finishing sixth of nine with 1665 votes. He was also a frequent contributor to the conservative website Free Dominion
Free Dominion
Free Dominion is a Canadian conservative website. It was inspired by Free Republic in the United States, and some members contribute to both sites...
, from which he was eventually banned for disruptive behavior.
In 2006 he was interviewed by Ed Helms
Ed Helms
Edward Paul "Ed" Helms is an American actor and comedian known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as Andy Bernard on the US version of the sitcom/mockumentary The Office and for his role as Dr. Stu Price in The Hangover films.- Early life :Helms was born and raised...
for The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
.
Nursing license
On January 25, 2005, the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses suspended Whatcott's nursing license for 45 days and payment of a fifteen thousand dollar fine. They asserted that Whatcott had intimidated patients and staff outside a Regina Planned ParenthoodPlanned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
clinic by picketing and referring "to its workers as murderers, abortionists and disseminators of AIDS." Bill Whatcott insisted that he was well within his rights of free speech as a private citizen to protest the clinic, as he was off duty and made no reference to his professional status. The judge disagreed and upheld the fine.
On appeal, a Saskatchewan appeals court overturned the ruling by the trial judge, and on May 29, 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
endorsed the appeals court view that Whatcott's activities off duty was protected by the right of free speech and could not be used to suspend his nursing license. According to Whatcott's lawyer, if the original ruling had stood, it could have affected other professionals, such as lawyers or teachers, who take unpopular views.
Human Rights Tribunal ruling
On February 25, 2010, Mr. Whatcott had the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal ruling against him alleging discrimination against four homosexuals and fining him $17,500 overturned by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. Part of the judgment acquitting Whatcott read, "the manner in which children in the public school system are to be exposed to messages about different forms of sexuality and sexual identity is inherently controversial. It must always be open to public debate. That debate will sometimes be polemical and impolite."The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada, which has decided to hear the case.