Ad Standards rules against anti-abortion ads depicted on city benches
LETHBRIDGE – Ad Standards, the non-profit body responsible for self-regulating advertising in Canada, has ruled that an ad placed on bus stop benches in Lethbridge showing a fetus with the words “Pre-born babies feel pain. Say no to abortion,” has contravened the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards.
The ruling, against the Lethbridge and District Prolife group was sent to lawyer Miranda Hlady May 30 after she filed a complaint against the ads.
The Standards Council is made up of volunteer members from advertisers, advertising agencies, the media and the public. A group met May 24, 2018 to consider the complaint.
The council decided the image of a well-developed and mature-looking fetus appeared to be more representative of a fetus not in its early stages of development, but at a later gestation, when abortions are typically not performed or permitted.