Relevant Guelph Transit advertising policy.
Disclaimer
(1) The City may, at any time, require that the Contractor include, with advertising specified by the City, a statement, in form and content as determined by the City, indicating, for example, that the advertising is paid for by an outside party, does not represent the views of the City and that the City wishes to comply with applicable law, such as the freedom of expression provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Particulars of content
(1) The Contractor shall ensure that advertising displayed pursuant to this agreement, including its material, language, representation and image:
a. Is aesthetically pleasing;
b. Fits into, and does not clash with, the environments in which it is placed;
c. Complies with the City’s policies, including its advertising policies, all as amended or replaced from time to time;
d. Complies with applicable codes and guidelines (including the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards) promulgated by Advertising Standards Canada and as amended or replaced from time to time; and
e. Complies with all applicable law.
(2) The Contractor shall ensure that advertising displayed pursuant to this agreement, including its material, language, representation and image, does not:
a. Contain or promote discrimination on any prohibited ground of discrimination as set out in the Human Rights Code;
b. Contain inaccurate or deceptive claims or statements;
c. Present products prohibited from sale to minors in such a way as to appeal particularly to minors;
d. Present demeaning or derogatory portrayals of individuals or groups;
e. Portray or exploit violence, sexuality or graphic or horrific images;
f. Promote or mention in any way alcoholic beverages or corporate or product names related to alcoholic beverages, except in sponsorship of appropriate events and where the message is one of sponsorship support and not product consumption;
g. Promote or mention in any way tobacco products or corporate or product names related to tobacco products;
h. Interfere with the operation of equipment; or
i. Interfere with the provision of City programs or services.
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This excerpt reads somewhat like “Lost in Translation”! Obviously, the advertising under complaint does not fit the City’s Transit advertising policy – or the policy has been misunderstood, perhaps deliberately.
Particulars of Content:
1a) Aesthetically pleasing – how do we all feel about that?
1b) Fits into environment/does not clash: transit + reproductive rights = ??
2a) Cannot contain or promote discrimination on any prohibited grounds – how about gender? Discriminating against and devaluing a woman’s right to choose, which is the current value held by our legal and political systems?
2d) Present demeaning/derogatory portrayals of any individual/group – I can guarantee that every woman who has ever been faced with this challenging situation feels demeaned by this ad in some way.
I’m guessing the City of Guelph is a bit selective in the type of “free speech” (partisan advertising) they allow on public property – abortion is a legal procedure, and the image being discussed disputes the value of this law to our society. Would the City allow an Anarchist or Conspiricist the same right to advertise on public property their views and opinions if the same procedures were followed? I feel skeptical…