Organizers of the largest pro-life event in Canada have cancelled indoor events surrounding the March for Life, but are making plans to hold an online event in case the actual rally and march have to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There will be a March for Life on May 14 no matter what happens,” said Debbie Duval, national capital organizer for Campaign Life Coalition. “Whether it will be like past years or not, we don’t know yet. We are monitoring the situation.”

Duval said if the rally and march in Ottawa is called off for public safety reasons, the national March for Life could become an online event.

“We still have the event booked,” Duval said. “We are keeping our eyes and ears open to what is happening with other outdoor events at that time in Ottawa and what the health authorities are saying. We are working on a possible online solution if the march has to be put off.”

The Ontario government has declared a state of emergency to try and slow the spread of COVID-19, which has killed thousands of people, mostly in Europe, China and Iran so far.

“We are acting on the best advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials across the province,” said Christine Elliott, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

Campaign Life Coalition has been organizing the National March for Life in Ottawa since 1998. A CLC statement released on March 19 said it is heeding public health warnings and cancelling a number of associated indoor events that week. Those include a candlelight vigil for victims of abortion, the Rose Dinner and a youth conference.

According to CLC, last year more than 31,000 Canadians participated in the national and associated provincial rallies.