PM names women’s advisor

OTTAWA – Michele Bedard, former chief of staff to Walter McLean, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, was named as Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s special advisor on women’s issues in September. Bedard replaces Jocelyn Cote-O’Hara, who left to return to the private sector. (Toronto Star, September 11)

Juries

An editorial in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record of October 3 supported the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision of October 1 rejecting the argument of Morris Manning, Morgentaler’s Toronto lawyer, that juries should send “messages” to parliament. The editorial was headed “The wrong forum for a moral debate.”

The Ottawa Citizen (October 3) headed its editorial, “Morgentaler case: dilemma for juries.”  While it noted the strength of the argument and the Court’s sharp criticism of Manning, the editors raised objections about placing juries in “legal straitjackets.”

The jury system was also discussed in longer letters to the editor such as “Juries should apply, not make, the law,” (Toronto Star, October 9); “Jury system undermined,” (Toronto Sun, November 10); and by Star columnist Frank Jones: “Jury system fail us in abortion decisions,” (Star, October 9).

Ontario Liberals

On October 3, Mr. David Peterson silenced the one Ontario cabinet minister (and apparently the one and only member of the 52-member Liberal caucus) who disagrees with the government policy to protect the Morgentaler abortion clinic and keep it operating. MPP John Sweeney had said that he and “most law abiding citizens were offended” by Morgentaler being allowed to “break the law” with impunity.

Mr. Peterson warned his cabinet in a weekly session not to express general opinions. However, caucus chairman, Elinor Caplan, demanded greater availability of abortuary facilities. Sources said Peterson told cabinet: “I want everyone on side of this – the position is that we abhor the clinic but there’s nothing we can do to shut it down.” (Sun, October 3)

Columnists

Following the silencing of Mr. Sweeney, Globe columnist Orland French wrote a glowing tribute to Elinor Caplan (“One woman takes place of three men,” October 7). Toronto Sun, columnist Laura Sabia attacked Mr. Sweeney as follows:

“The premier of Ontario should muzzle the likes of community and social services, John Sweeney (father of 10), when he blatantly incites violence by saying that he would support a police raid on the Harbord St., clinic. You’re entitled to your opinions on abortion, John Sweeney, but you have no right to impose your ample fecundity on women.

“The Public is justly outraged. Dr. Morgentaler has become a martyr, sacrificed on the altar of the fetus worshippers.” (Sun, October 8)

David Peterson’s policy

Recent responses from the Ontario Premier’s office to personal letters about the Morgentaler abortuary and its illegal operations indicate a renewed drive for greater access to abortion. Said one letter dated October 25:

“We are also committed to ensuring that proper facilities are available to all women who, for reasons outlined in the existing law, require therapeutic abortions. We believe that all women of Ontario should have equal access to this service, irrespective of where they may reside. The Minister of Health is proceeding to prepare options which will meet this objective.”

In Vitro Fertilization

London, Ont.: The local University Hospital has announced that from now on the province will pick up the tab for the “in-vitro-fertilization” programme. Couples using the programme can pay for it out of the provincial health insurance plan. Three other in-vitro programmes – two in Toronto and one in Hamilton – will also be covered.

Divorce

Ottawa: The House of Commons Justice Committee has approved legislation for easier divorce. The PC-proposed legislation will reduce the waiting period for uncontested divorces to one year (from three) and allows for immediate divorces in cases of adultery and physical cruelty.

Abortions in Europe

Rome: A 1981 survey of attitudes towards abortion among 12,000 Europeans shows 69 per cent in North-West Europe and 67 per cent in Southern Europe respectively opposed abortion as birth control. However, 90 per cent and 86 per cent respectively accept abortion when the mother’s health is endangered. The survey was distributed at a meeting of European Roman Catholic bishops. There was no information about the phrasing or nature of the questions. (Toronto Star, November 2)

Birth rates

Paris: A study of rapidly declining birth rates had led to a furious debate about the survival of French culture and civilization.

The article, by Jean Respail a prominent French writer, and Gerard Francois Dumont, a demographer who is head of the Institute of Political Demography, asserts that the proportion of France’s non-European immigrant population will grow to endanger survival of traditional French culture, values and identity.

Three senior French officials condemned the article as false, provocative and racist. Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, in a speech to parliament, said the article drew a dangerous link between social insecurity and immigrants.