Canadian Charter Violation in Alberta’s Town of Olds, Mountain View County

Councils for both the Town of Olds and Mountain View County remain unaccountable after funding an Unregulated Pregnancy Centre with tax dollars.

VANCOUVER – The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) confirms that two municipal councils in Alberta, the Town of Olds and Mountain View County, remain unaccountable for over CAD$14,500 tax dollars provided in grant funding since 2025 to a local unregulated pregnancy centre (UPC). 

Disguised as beacons of support for people coping with an unplanned pregnancy, UPCs engage in deceitful tactics, spreading misinformation about abortion, and often relying on conservative religious biases – all to dissuade people from having abortions. These tactics infringe on Canadians’ right to health and life. ARCC urges both the Town of Olds Council and the Mountain View County Council to terminate all funding agreements, and repay any already distributed funds in the 2025/26 grant cycles.

“As local governments, the Town of Olds and Mountain View County are both obligated to respect and uphold Canadians’ Charter and human rights.This would include not funding or rewarding organizations that undermine those rights,” explains Joyce Arthur, ARCC’s Executive Director. “We’re deeply concerned about this misapplication of funds, and the lack of concern from the two Councils. When we sought clarity on the decision process and requested termination of all funding agreements with the local UPC, there was no response from the Town of Olds, while Mountain View County defended the grants.”

The following grants were approved by Mountain View County Council for the Olds and Area Pregnancy Support Centre (OAPSC):

• $1992 in April 2025 to purchase an onsite AED/Defibrillator. (Reported by The Albertan)
• $2250 in March 2025 for volunteer training and resources, with the government of Alberta providing 80% of the funding. (Reported by The Albertan)

The following grants and financial benefits were approved by the Town of Olds Council for the OAPSC:

• $9250 in June 2025 from the Mountain View Power Community grant, for a bathroom renovation and program supports for infant massage, prenatal care, and parental grief. (Reported on Facebook by Town of Olds)
• $1100 in March 2025 for an infant massage program, with the government of Alberta providing 80% of the funding. (Reported by The Albertan)
• Exemption from full property taxes in February 2025, with costs to be borne by the taxpayer. (Reported by The Albertan)

ARCC believes the financial support of this anti-abortion pregnancy centre from local governments will negatively impact pregnant people in the region, especially young people, newcomers to Canada, and members of the 2S/LGBTQ+ community who already face marginalization and barriers to social inclusion and support. Deanna Ronson, a Board director with ARCC, said: “The OAPSC website lacks any legitimate sexual health information, and does not link to reputable medical information about abortion. No level of government should be giving public funds to religious organizations that interfere with Canadians’ right to medically accurate information and healthcare access. When governments fund unregulated pregnancy centres, they are not acting neutrally. That public funding becomes a political endorsement.”  

ARCC calls on reproductive rights supporters to join the call to ensure UPCs are not funded with taxpayer dollars anywhere on Turtle Island.

About ARCC

The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) is the only Canada-wide pro-choice group devoted to ensuring abortion rights and access. ARCC was formed in October 2005 to carry out political and educational work to support reproductive rights and health. Our diverse coalition consists of groups and individuals across Canada working to represent all Canadians who support reproductive rights and justice.

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