A Saskatoon anti-abortion group is appealing to city council after losing its second bid to have a Respect for Life Week proclaimed later this month.

Alliance for Life is seeking the designation for the week of Jan. 20.

According to its application, the week would serve to promote "the importance of human life and to celebrate the inherent value, dignity and diversity of human life at all stages."

In the group's appeal, president Carole Tokaruk wrote that "we do not discriminate but abortion discriminates against the unborn and euthanasia discriminates against the elderly, handicapped, sick and vulnerable."

"lf the gay/homosexual lobby group can get a whole month of publicity and support, surely a week can be granted," she added.

Carole Tokaruk, the president of Alliance for Life Saskatoon, said if the group's second proclamation bid fails, it might consider legal options. (Supplied/Carole Tokaruk)

The city denied the group's application, saying it did not meet the criteria outlined in a lengthy section of its flag and proclamation policy.

The section cites a number of potential grounds for denial, including requests that are politically or religiously motivated, or controversial within the community.

When CBC News asked the city which specific clause of the section triggered the denial, the city declined to say, calling the process "quasi-judicial."

"When I was looking at it, I said, 'What are they talking about?' Like, which one of these are they saying? Are we 'hate'? 'Divisive'? 'Religious'? I don't know," Tokaruk said of the lack of specificity. "I had no idea why."

In her appeal, Tokaruk wrote, "We are not a religious or political organization but rather a human rights organization."

The group's appeal will now go to city council (specifically, its governance and priorities committee), which will meet to discuss it Monday — the very day Respect for Life Week was hoped to kick off.

No possibility of flag this time

This is the second time Alliance for Life has attempted to have the week proclaimed. It first did so in late 2018, asking for a week in January 2019. At the time, Tokaruk said the week's events might include a flag raising.

That time, the recommendation to receive the information about the week was defeated in a 8-3 vote without debate, with councillors Darren Hill, Randy Donauer and Zach Jeffries voting in favour. The proclamation bid was effectively nixed, which the city said is "not common."

There are no plans for a flag this time around, however.

"No flag will be flown or requested to be flown for Respect for Life Week," Tokarul wrote. "Alliance for Life Saskatoon does not own such a flag."

If the group's second attempt fails, Tokaruk said it might consider legal options.