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Authorities cause confusion by ticketing Quebec man for carrying pro-life signs
A Canadian man has been fined for holding a sign during a 40 Days for Life campaign in Sherbrooke, Quebec, just days after a ticket for a similar infraction was dropped.
A Quebec man has twice been ticketed for carrying a sandwich board bearing a pro-life message.
The first ticket was withdrawn, but days later another ticket was issued.
City officials say the signs violate an ordinance prohibiting the use of sandwich boards for commercial advertising.
Legal counsel maintains the boards expressed personal views, and were not used for commercial purposes.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced that Brian Jenkins has been ticketed for holding a sandwich board reading, "Let us pray for the end of abortion."
Jenkins was first ticketed for holding his sign in 2025; however, that ticket was withdrawn by the city of Sherbrooke on September 30, 2026. On October 3, Jenkins was issued another citation for again holding a pro-life sign. Both tickets were issued because city officials claim he violated an ordinance prohibiting the use of sandwich boards for commercial advertising.
“I was confused when I was told that I was in violation of a municipal ordinance, especially since I had not been approached in the previous four years while doing the same activity,” Jenkins said.
News reports do not indicate why the city withdrew the first ticket only to issue another one days later.
Jenkins is being represented by the Justice Centre, which has announced it is bringing a constitutional challenge on behalf of Jenkins.
The group maintains that the signs were not commercial in nature, and instead simply stated Jenkins' personal views on abortion. The group argues that his rights of personal expression are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“This is a case where law enforcement agencies, in addition to applying their regulations in a clearly illegal manner, attempted to use them to suppress speech they did not like,” said constitutional lawyer Olivier Seguin.
Seguin also noted:
“Canadians should not have to guess whether expressing their convictions will bring another prosecution. Fair process requires clear communication, consistent enforcement, and respect for constitutional freedoms. A bylaw governing commercial advertising should not be used to silence peaceful expression.”
Around the world, pro-life activity is being stifled as jurisdictions seek to limit free speech through the use of buffer zones, ordinances, and other limiting mandates.
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
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Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Valerie Abraham
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International
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International
Bridget Sielicki
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International
Angeline Tan
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Issues
Cassy Cooke
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Issues
Bridget Sielicki
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Politics
Bridget Sielicki
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Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·International
Bridget Sielicki
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Analysis
Bridget Sielicki
·International·By Bridget Sielicki
Authorities cause confusion by ticketing Quebec man for carrying pro-life signs
A Canadian man has been fined for holding a sign during a 40 Days for Life campaign in Sherbrooke, Quebec, just days after a ticket for a similar infraction was dropped.
A Quebec man has twice been ticketed for carrying a sandwich board bearing a pro-life message.
The first ticket was withdrawn, but days later another ticket was issued.
City officials say the signs violate an ordinance prohibiting the use of sandwich boards for commercial advertising.
Legal counsel maintains the boards expressed personal views, and were not used for commercial purposes.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced that Brian Jenkins has been ticketed for holding a sandwich board reading, "Let us pray for the end of abortion."
Jenkins was first ticketed for holding his sign in 2025; however, that ticket was withdrawn by the city of Sherbrooke on September 30, 2026. On October 3, Jenkins was issued another citation for again holding a pro-life sign. Both tickets were issued because city officials claim he violated an ordinance prohibiting the use of sandwich boards for commercial advertising.
“I was confused when I was told that I was in violation of a municipal ordinance, especially since I had not been approached in the previous four years while doing the same activity,” Jenkins said.
News reports do not indicate why the city withdrew the first ticket only to issue another one days later.
Jenkins is being represented by the Justice Centre, which has announced it is bringing a constitutional challenge on behalf of Jenkins.
The group maintains that the signs were not commercial in nature, and instead simply stated Jenkins' personal views on abortion. The group argues that his rights of personal expression are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“This is a case where law enforcement agencies, in addition to applying their regulations in a clearly illegal manner, attempted to use them to suppress speech they did not like,” said constitutional lawyer Olivier Seguin.
Seguin also noted:
“Canadians should not have to guess whether expressing their convictions will bring another prosecution. Fair process requires clear communication, consistent enforcement, and respect for constitutional freedoms. A bylaw governing commercial advertising should not be used to silence peaceful expression.”
Around the world, pro-life activity is being stifled as jurisdictions seek to limit free speech through the use of buffer zones, ordinances, and other limiting mandates.
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Valerie Abraham
·Guest Column
Right to Life UK
·International
Cassy Cooke
·International
Bridget Sielicki
·International
Angeline Tan
·Issues
Cassy Cooke
·Issues
Bridget Sielicki
·Politics
Bridget Sielicki
·Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·International
Bridget Sielicki
·Analysis
Bridget Sielicki
·Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre are bringing a constitutional challenge on behalf of Brian Jenkins after he was fined by local police for peacefully expressing his views at a public rally in Sherbrooke by wearing a placard displaying the message “Let us pray for the end of Show more
The City of Sherbrooke has withdrawn a ticket issued to local resident Brian Jenkins in 2025 for peacefully displaying signs opposing abortion during the annual “40 Days for Life” campaign. However, police ticketed Mr. Jenkins again for the same activity on October 3, 2026. Show more
