The prevalent mood in Canada is “shoot the messenger,” reports film-maker and friend Peter Gerretsen.
In centuries past, they usually slit the throat of the bearer of bad news. Today the messenger is stifled or, more often, merely ignored.
Campaign Life works in the political arena, with candidates and politicians who represent each of the major political parties in Canada. We attempt to educate and inform them about life issues, and remind them of their very grave responsibility to enact laws which protect all members of our society and especially the weakest members (the unborn, the handicapped, the aged).
Muzzled…
During writ periods (once a federal election is called), Campaign Life contacts each candidate for the major parties, qualifies their position on abortion and publishes the information in newspaper advertisements, flyers, etc. This strategy has proved so effective that the Federal Government passed Bill C-169 (amendments to the Canada Election Act, October 25,1983) which prohibits groups or individuals from qualifying a candidate’s platforms and from publicly endorsing or rejecting them without the candidate’s consent.
Indeed, Alex Patterson (P.C Fraser Valley E., B.C.) stated in a letter to a constituent that the legislation was enacted to stop people like Borowski.
However, it seems that the quickest way to develop a backlash from some pro-lifers is to publicize the roles played by their politicians and political parties in widening the abortion laws.
Each time we print information on M.P.s and other elected politicians we risk losing supporters. “But he is so pro-life,” they say. When we investigate the claim, we frequently find the candidate has actually stated to us “I am personally pro-life but…” That is just not a pro-life position.
Recently-installed Roman Catholic Archbishop John J. O’Connor of New York City has stated, “I will give no support by word or action, that could in any way be construed in favour of any politician, or any political party, who professes either a pro-abortion position or takes refuge in a so-called “pro-choice” position. I categorically reject the evasion, “I am personally opposed to abortion, but….”
Despite this, the federal Liberal party, which traditionally has enjoyed the support of a majority of Roman Catholics, did not field one pro-life leadership candidate. Although only Donald Johnston was in favour of abortion on demand, none of them (Johnston, Turner, Chretien, MacGuigan, Munro, Roberts,Whelan) was willing to support a change in the law, which since 1969 has resulted in the death of over 1,000,000 unborn Canadians.
Often, political “hopefuls” claim that they are pro-life when they seek our support, but once elected they conveniently turn their backs to the plight of the unborn. Their political strategy seems to be ….get elected… get elected.
…but responsible
Many so-called pro-lifers are just as guilty. Their support for the Liberals, the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democrats is so unshakable they merely become part of the abortion problem. We must use all the resources at our disposal to show pro-lifers they must not support candidates who are unwilling to work to protect the weakest members of our human family – the unborn.
Abortion is a disqualifying issue in any election campaign. No matter how good a candidate’s platform might otherwise be, if he is unwilling to protect the unborn then don’t vote for him. But by all means, vote.
Do not stay at home on election day. If you cannot vote for a pro-life candidate representing another party then write across your ballot ‘ NO PRO-LIFE P.C (Liberal, N.D.P). These protests will only appear as spoiled ballots, but the scrutineers present in each polling station will see and record the information.
Will pro-lifers cross party lines when their own candidate is not pro-life? Though the desire to be “part of the team” is strong, pro-life support is growing stronger. So the answer is a resounding YES.
