Editor’s note: At the Creating a Culture of Life: An International Forum banquet, MP Garry Breitkreuz (CA, Yorkton-Melville) was honoured by Campaign Life Coalition with its prestigious Joseph P. Borowski award. Given annually to a politician who has made a strong stand for life, the award is named after the late Manitoba NDP cabinet minister who took his battle against abortion all the way to the Supreme Court. This is the text of Breitkreuz’s comments.
Thank you very much. I feel unworthy to receive a reward named in honour of a great Canadian, one of the heroes of our time.
Mr. Borowski was a man who stood on principle, who put his money where his mouth is; who fought tirelessly for the most helpless in our society – the pre-birth children who have absolutely no way of defending themselves against the cruelest, most barbaric act practised by modern man.
My experience in Parliament over the past nine years has made me realize that the battle to protect these defenceless human beings must be fought at all levels. Yes, Parliament is a key battleground, but a very significant part must also occur in the hearts and minds of all Canadians. They are the ones that put in place our lawmakers. Unless we pry people out of the woodwork in our local communities who are willing to make the sacrifice to stand up in the public square and speak the truth on this issue, the changes needed may not occur. People must get involved in the political process at all levels. They must encourage others to scratch below the surface on issues, to take responsibility for getting information to their neighours, because a large part of the battle is for the minds of Canadians.
We must encourage our churches to speak on the issue in a much more effective way. Christ mandated us to be the salt of the earth – for without that, our society will not be palatable – and I believe that we have sunk to a very low level. Church leaders should encourage their congregations to examine issues more carefully.
Why should a human being that is smaller than another not be protected?
Why does its location inside his mother deprive (him) of his right to life?
Why should her level of development, her dependency mean she is less important?
These are the questions church members should be asking.
Having said all this, I want to encourage you to continue your hard work, because I believe we are making progress. I was very encouraged by a poll I did in my riding last year. Only 11 per cent of the people thought a person became a human being at birth. I believe the education you have been doing is showing results.
My efforts to bring more democracy to the House of Commons, especially private members’ business, is also a key part of the battle to try to make changes to our legislation. We are all part of the army. We are all very important in this battle to save lives. Let’s continue to work together.
Thank you and God bless.
