Editor’s Note: In the August edition of The Interim we published a survey of pro-life groups regarding incrementalism and gestational limits. The Christian Heritage Party response was not complete because CHP leader Jim Hnatiuk did not reply to the portion on incrementalism. We have edited the survey online after receiving this letter to the editor from Hnatiuk, which will appear in the September edition of the paper.
CHP leader clarifies party position on incrementalism
I want to thank The Interim for allowing me, as leader of the Christian Heritage Party, to comment on the question of incremental legislation. When I received the survey request for our position on this matter, I responded to the question regarding a gestational approach to legislation (which we do not support) but I inadvertently overlooked the question regarding other forms of incremental legislation, many of which we do enthusiastically support.
In fact, at the time of the survey, we were busy preparing a document specifically highlighting the types of incremental strategies that we think would be most successful and that could be supported by a majority of pro-lifers and a majority of Canadians.
Some of those incremental steps would include: defunding (both abortion itself and certainly abortion providers and promoters); conscience legislation for doctors, nurses, policemen, etc…; elimination of bubble zones; freedom of speech and assembly on campuses for active pro-life student groups; access to abortion statistics in every province; informed consent with all the risks and implications made clear; parental notification; a national awareness campaign exposing the evils of abortion and raising awareness of life-affirming alternatives such as adoption or supported parenting; a ban on sex-selection abortion; anti-coercion legislation; recognition of personhood; protection of the unborn person from violence.
Of course, our unchanging policy is the protection of all innocent human life from conception until natural death. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our position. We believe unity within the pro-life movement is extremely important and we honour those at work in every organization to advance the cause of the unborn.
Jim Hnatiuk
Leader
CHP Canada
