BELLEVILLE, Ont. - A Canadian television station has scrapped its plans for the Canadian debut of a controversial film based upon the crimes of killer Russell Williams.

The Movie Network (TMN) had planned to broadcast An Officer and a Murderer in August. The controversial Canadian-made production aired in the U.S. July 21.

Spokeswoman Deborah Wilson said in an e-mail to QMI Agency the network pulled the movie after controversy erupted following the U.S. showing.

"...After reviewing some of the media coverage prompted by the movie's airing in the U.S., we agreed that the title may not be appropriate for our network at this time," said Wilson, vice-president of publicity for Astral Media Inc, TMN's parent company.

The movie has been pulled from the schedule in the near-term and may or may not air in the future, she said.

That decision would "most likely" not be made until 2013.

The movie stars Gary Cole as Williams. Cole is best known for his movie roles in Office Space and Talladega Nights, and on television in Midnight Caller and American Gothic.

Andy Lloyd, whose sister, Jessica, 27, was one of two women killed by Williams, could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

But in October 2011, he said his family hadn't ruled out lobbying against future projects - including the movie - be they books or films.

"That's definitely something I personally am going to look at when this movie is made," he said.

"Unfortunately, some people seem to thrive off things like this and maybe not give a thought to the harm it's going to cause the people out there that are involved."