Canada’s Anti-abortion, Anti-Gay activist Bill Whatcott Flees Canada: Settles in Philippines

Canada’s social scene is poorer with one of its strident activists having left the country. Activist Bill Whatcott, who fought against abortion and homosexuality in Canada, finally moved to the Philippines. In his own words, "he was forced out" of Canada under the pressure of a series of ordeals as a price for upholding his religious convictions. In his battles, Bill Whatcott took on many lobbies and eventually admitted his defeat.

The National Post reports that Whatcott left Canada, “after being hounded, fined and made practically unemployable by his strident views on homosexuality”. Making his views candid, Whatcott wrote an open letter on March 10, which was published on “Free North America”, in which the Saskatchewan activist announced the reasons for his refuge in the Philippines.

Whatcott wrote: “I have pretty much given the last quarter-century of my life to fighting for a Judeo-Christian vision for Canada, especially in the areas of life, sexuality and family. I also fought very hard for free speech and religious freedom for social conservative Christians… While the path I chose was somewhat controversial, devastating to my secular career prospects in Canada and indeed a path that rendered me a pariah in the eyes of many, I am quite happy with some of what I accomplished. On the abortion front I am very happy there are a number of children alive as a direct result of my graphic abortion sign and sidewalk counseling ministries.”

Tiff with Rights Body

In 2002, Whatcott was hauled up by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission for distributing literature that portrayed gay people as paedophiles and sodomites, after complaints were registered against him. In 2003, the human rights tribunal ordered him to “pay the four complainants a total of CA$17,500.”

However, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal reversed the ruling. In 2002, Whatcott also targeted a Planned Parenthood clinic in Regina, Saskatchewan as part of his anti-abortion crusade. In 2014, he showed his boldest act by infiltrating the Vancouver Pride parade, disguised as a member of the Calgary Church in pink hair and distributed anti-gay flyers disguised as condoms.

Admits Defeat

Despite Whatcott’s belief that his activism “certainly had an impact on the course of free speech in Canada,” he has admitted defeat. He said his efforts in defending Canada against homosexual onslaught has been less successful but was costly at a personal level.

In an interview to National Post from his new home in Lipa in the Philippines, some 185 km from Manila, the activist said, “I don’t know if I am gone forever and I reserve the right to come back when I see fit. But right now, I’m healing and resting.”

Whatcott and his wife, Joni, who is from the Philippines, are not very rich. Whatcott said he was also unable to obtain permanent residency for his wife, Joni, in Canada. The couple met in 2007 and married in Singapore, four years later. Joni has been a constant support for him in his campaigns including his race for mayor of Edmonton in 2007.

The 47-year-old Whatcoot is now taking mechanic courses with the hope of starting own business. “I don’t know if I am gone forever and I reserve the right to come back when I see fit. But right now, I’m healing and resting”, Whatcott quipped.

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