The controversial “atheist bus” advertising campaign is bound for Ottawa, says the group that has already sparked a nation-wide uproar by pushing its “probably no God” message in Toronto, Calgary and Halifax.
The Toronto-based Freethought Association of Canada announced Tuesday that it was targeting the national capital next after donations flooded in to help finance its provocative ad campaign.
"Ottawa is a logical choice," FAC president Justin Trottier said in a press release. "As the political centre of our country we hope to send a message that secularism and non-believers be considered equally in political discussion."
The advertisement declares in hot pink and red letters: “THERE'S PROBABLY NO GOD. NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE.”
The advertisements are being paid for through public donations. The association says its Atheist Bus Campaign raised $10,000 through donations in just the past week, pushing the total amount for the campaign to more than $40,000.
The advertisements have already been approved for use in Toronto and Calgary, the group said. The Toronto advertisements will roll out on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) buses in mid-February.
Earlier this week, the campaign hit a roadblock when the advertisement was rejected by Halifax’s Metro Transit.
It wasn’t immediately clear how OC Transpo or city council would respond to FAC’s bid to place the ads on Ottawa buses.
The FAC said in its statement on Tuesday that Metro Transit’s rejection of the ad as too “controversial” violates the group’s “Charter right” to free speech.
"We want to discuss this, but they won't meet," said FAC’s Halifax spokesperson Derek Rodgers.
“We exist to encourage healthy debate," added Trottier.
The association describes itself as a charity that promotes “secular worldviews” through its education campaigns.