Capilano College is found in beautiful North Vancouver and is the academic home of over 7,200 students. They are represented by the Capilano Students Union — or, at least some of them are. The CSU, “an autonomous democratic organization” and member of the Canadian Federation of Students, is “dedicated to advancing student interests and working towards achieving a high-quality education system that is accessible to all.”

However, the CSU has acted against students trying to re-establish a pro-life club on campus. It all started this past summer at a CSU meeting. Minerva Macapagal, in her fourth year on the University Transfer program, along with other pro-life students, attended the meeting with the intention of applying for club status for Capilano College Heartbeat. Just before Macapagal had the chance to present, a representative from the “Womyn’s Centre” put forward a motion that would make the CSU an official “pro-choice” organization and, once that passed, asked for a donation to a large “pro-choice” organization. Not surprisingly, when Macapagal presented the Heartbeat club proposal, it was voted down precisely because hers was a pro-life club and the CSU had officially become “pro-choice.”

Capilano College Heartbeat is not taking the move lying down. Mark Carter, National Campus Life Network B.C. representative, along with Macapagal and Denise Schmidt, approached Craig Jones for legal assistance. Currently, they are working with Grace Pastine, a member of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, and Robert Gunnarrson.

In November, Macapagal made another attempt for club status and again her efforts were voted down. The officially pro-abortion CSU indeed provided its reasoning for the decision – a club like this would be taking away the “women’s right to choose,” which is supposedly a violation of their freedoms.

It is clear to Macapagal that the CSU is representing one viewpoint and not the opinions of the campus at large. “It may be the minority that speaks out about pro-life issues, but as students, we should be afforded the right to be recognized as a club. She added there are many students at Capilano College who want the pro-life group Heatbeat to form.  “The CSU is turning a blind eye” to them.

Although turned down twice now for club status, Macapagal and her fellow pro-lifers on campus are not ready to give up when the lives of preborn children, the health of women and the good of society are at risk. “The CSU is silencing the pro-life group in hope that we will just go away and disappear,” says Macapagal, “But that is not going to happen. We are here on campus and ready and willing to voice our opinions.”