Feds investigating use of government logo on anti-abortion banner

Federal officials are investigating the use of the government of Canada's logo on a banner used at an anti-abortion rally last week.

The Canada "word mark" - the official symbol of the federal government - appeared on the banner above the words "March for Life." Its use appeared to suggest that the rally on Parliament Hill had been sponsored by - or even subsidized by - the federal government.

However, Jim Hughes, head of Campaign Life Coalition, said the annual protest against abortion has never received federal funding and that the government was in no way involved in this year's event.

Hughes couldn't say how the Canada logo made its way onto the banner, likely created by a volunteer. But he said the banner has been used for the past five years without a problem.

Not anymore.

A photo of the banner has been circulating on the Internet since last week, with bloggers using it to suggest that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Tories appeared to be funding pro-life groups when they've cut funding for women's equality programs.

The spotlight shone on the banner resulted Tuesday in the Treasury Board Secretariat launching an investigation into whether the logo was used illegally.

"The secretariat investigates all complaints and queries related to the use of official symbols, which are protected under Canadian copyright and trademark law," said spokesman Robert Makichuk.

"They can only be used with the government's permission."

If, as appears to be the case, the anti-abortion activists who created and carried the banner did not have authorization to use the logo, Makichuk said they'll be asked to "cease and desist."

If they refuse, he said the secretariat will consult legal counsel for the appropriate course of action.

LINK:570 News