Wagner, 43, had been found guilty of mischief and two counts of breach of probation stemming from her arrest Dec. 12, 2016 at Toronto’s Bloor West Village Woman’s Clinic, where she attempted to persuade women not to choose abortion.

She spent four months in jail before her trial because she refused to agree to bail conditions. After being found guilty in April, she was given a probation order to stay at least 100 metres from abortion clinics from Ontario abortion centres for three years.

In August, Justice Rick Libman of the Ontario Court of Justice deferred sentencing so Wagner could present a further evidence in her defence. The result was an overwhelming avalanche of support for the activist, including 850 reference letters from around the world.

“We thank Justice Libman for this decision which is a step in the right direction,” Jim Hughes, president of Campaign Life Coalition and vice-president of the International Right to Life Federation said in a release.  “In less than a month, Mary received more than 850 reference letters, 34,000 emails and 67,000 petition signatures in support of her character and unborn children.

“This overwhelming response is a reflection of a global opposition to abortion in Canada." 

Wagner, who remains under a probation order, has been a long-time crusader for the pro-life movement with convictions and jail time dating back to 2000 for attempting to counsel women at abortion clinics.

“We need more people like Mary who genuinely understand the plight of women and their unborn children,” said Hughes. “Abortion is a great injustice in this country and we stand firmly with Mary in her courageous undertaking of putting her own life at risk so that women choose life for their children.”