Marion Powell, one of Canada’s leading advocates of abortion, contraception and other anti-life practices, died of heart failure Dec. 23 at age 74.

Described by some as the mother of birth control in Canada, Dr. Powell made a career of promoting abortion and contraceptive services. She was a major figure in the establishment of the country’s first publicly funded birth control centre in 1966. At that time, the promotion and distribution of artificial birth control was an offense under the Canadian Criminal Code.

The Toronto native gained notoriety in 1987 for preparing the Powell Report which called for a wide expansion of abortion facilities throughout Ontario. Pro-lifers of the day criticized the provincial health ministry for appointing a prominent abortion-rights advocate to make recommendations on abortion access.

Despite nearly five decades of support for anti-life causes, Powell had the respect of some civic leaders. Among the honors she received were the Persons Award (honoring women’s achievement), the Gardiner Award and the YWCA’s Woman of Distinction award. In 1991, she was named a member of the Order of Canada.

Powell’s contribution to the abortion rights movement in Canada is a large one, say leading pro-life activists. Many pro-lifers suggest she practically wrote provincial government policy on free-standing abortion clinics in the late 1980s.