The real facts fit the pro-life message. This is the message given by speaker after speaker at the 1997 annual conference, Life and Family a Community Affair, held in Waterloo, Ontario, October 31 – November 1.
Is the world running out of food? Yes say the doomsdayers and the population manipulators. No, says Dr. Glenn Fox, professor of agricultural economics at Guelph University and his factual presentation proved his point. Does a woman raise her risk of breast cancer by undergoing induced abortion? No, say abortion advocates. Yes, says Dr. Joel Brind, backing his position with real facts and statistics, while leaving his question ringing in the audience’s ears. Why are women not being informed of this added complication of induced abortion?
Dutch example
If we allow euthanasia is there really a slippery slope? No, say euthanasia advocates, we can ensure strict and careful guidelines. Yes, says Jakki Jeffs, if we allow a little bit of killing, the Pandora’s Box will be open as evidenced in government requested reports from the Netherlands.
Can we protect a pre-born child from becoming a victim of her mother’s drug addiction? No, says the highest court in Canada. Yes, says attorney Angela Costigan who presented the brief on behalf of Alliance for Life, in the “Glue Sniffing Case.”
We need to discard the “born alive” rule, which as one judge noted is based on rudimentary knowledge of fetal development.
Should health care workers be obliged to take life through abortion and euthanasia. Yes, say the death advocates. Yes, say the legislators who provide no conscience legislation, yes say the hiring and firing committees of hospital boards. No, says Dr. John Shea, each person should be able to work in an environment that honors their value and belief systems.
Should the constitutional right of parents to be involved in their children’s health care be upheld. No, say the designers of Ontario Bill 19 and the so-called “sexual health professionals.” Yes, says attorney Geoff Cauchi, parents have an inalienable right to be involved in the life of their minor dependent children which no legislation may usurp or take away.
Is induced abortion a loving and helpful procedure for society to offer women? Yes, says our government, yes, say abortion advocates, yes, say some doctors. No, says Dr. Larry Reynolds, abortion is society’s way of moulding women to fit it so that it does not have to mould to fit women. Abortion is society’s rejection of women and womanhood.
Should school boards be allowed to present sex education which differs and indeed is in contradiction to the values of the parents of the students they teach? Yes, say the school boards, yes, say the “sexual health” professionals. No, say parents Jan Bracken and Janet Smith as they outlined the debate that each has undergone over the last several years with their respective school boards.
Is Planned Parenthood good for our communities? Yes, say Planned Parenthood supporters. No, says Patricia Bainbridge of Life Decisions International, taking her audience back through the history and background of the Planned Parenthood philosophy.
Other speakers included Professor Donald De Marco of St. Jerome’s College, who outlined the harm  new reproductive technologies inflict on marriage and the family. Pro-life leaders gave “how to” workshops on euthanasia, abortion, breast cancer and induced abortion and pro-life education in the elementary schools.
Journalist Michael Coren addressed the delegates with a strong message that we must not give up, but we must not underestimate the massive opposition which we are up against amongst media personnel themselves.
Proclaiming truth
News columnist Rory Leishman, who received the Kurelek award from Alliance for Life at the 1997 national pro-life conference, ended this two-day gathering with an inspiring message to the pro-life representatives. He encouraged delegates to continue speaking the truth, for the truth cannot be suppressed forever. He noted however, that it will do us no good to have the truth if we do not have the courage to stand up and tell it.
The pro-life message has the truth at its core, and we must never be discouraged because it will prevail ultimately. He noted that the media bias is pervasive and blatant, but it cannot last forever. This c;osing presentation was a summation of what each speaker had addressed in different ways. Delegates were encouraged to help truth prevail and promote protection of human life in this country.