Legislature passes bill creating no-protest zones around abortion clinics

EDMONTON- The  legislature has passed a bill that bans protesters from standing, demonstrating or taking pictures within at least 50 metres of an abortion clinic.

The NDP, the Alberta party, Liberal David Swann and Independent member Richard Starke voted to pass Bill 9 in third reading.

The lone dissenter was Independent Derek Fildebrandt, who says women and staff should not be harassed outside clinics, but the bill goes too far in limiting free speech.

The Opposition United Conservative caucus again refused to participate in the debate and walked out en masse during the votes.