A distinguished guest slipped into the April board meeting of The Interim a few weeks ago. He was awaiting a ride to Toronto International Airport. Impeccably dressed in gray flannel suit, he sat with us at the board table, sipping coffee, breaking bread and joining in the discussions. When the topic of story ideas arose, someone suggested that we do an informal [...]
Mary Jo’s friends now ask why the hospital staff made no effort to revive her and, even after discovering their error, still left her to die such an agonizingly slow death. The tragic but avoidable death of a Yakima, Washington, woman has raised a number of serious questions on the advisability of signing a living will. In late December 1992, the staff [...]
In a column in the May issue of Thornhill Month, John Stephens asked, “Must it be a matter of either job or conscience?” Until now, he wrote, the Birthplace Unit at the Markham-Stouffville Hospital has been used as the name implies. Now, nurses in the unit who abhor abortions are being told either to assist at these procedures or accept transfer to [...]
Of the many forms of pro-life action, there is one which we think it is prudent to raise questions about – the picketing of the homes of abortionists. There is no doubt home picketing has an impact. Many doctors have either ceased doing abortions altogether, or moved their practices to another location where they resume this deadly activity. Nevertheless, is home picketing [...]
Ottawa to get free-standing abortion clinic Ottawa may soon have its first fee-standing abortion clinic, but abortion activists in the city aren’t satisfied. The Ottawa-Carleton District –Health Council voted unanimously on February 15th to ask the Ontario Health Ministry to issue a request for proposals for a women’s health center which would provide abortions, contraceptive services and other women’s health programs. The [...]
We hear a lot about Roe v. Wade, but what exactly did the U.S. Supreme Court say? L.M. Toronto The Court announced a new constitutional right. The majority said that the 14th Amend-ment to the U.S. Constitution shelters a fundamental right of privacy “broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.” The judges did not know [...]
Upon visiting many physicians’ offices in this province, patients are greeted with an ominous warning from the B.C. Medical Association. One large poster features eight NDP MLAs, including Premier Michael Harcourt cautioning, with bold red lettering, cautioning “Known health risk in your area.” It states, “These NDP MLAs voted for Bill 71, the new law that rations health care services and limits [...]
What is Chorionic Villus sampling? Why are pro-lifers opposed to it? B.D., Chatham Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is a method used in early pregnancy for the diagnosis of genetic disorders in the pre-born child. At about ten weeks, a small sample of tissue is removed from the developing placenta and the cells are examined. Because it is known that the embryo and [...]
Drug’s approval sends shock waves through women’s organizations On October 29th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration---under intense pressure from drug lobbyists—gave up its two-decade-long battle to protect American women from the side effects of Depo-Provera, an injectable steroid drug that prevents pregnancy for three months. Editor’s Note: Depo-Provera in some cases may prevent ovulation. In other cases, there may be ovulation [...]
B.C. parents are mobilizing to try to regain the authority they say their government is wrestling away from them. The province’s Infants Act has received Royal Assent and is now law. Passed in the legislature last summer, its provisions, which allow children under the age of 19 to choose their own health care, were pushed through with a minimum lf fuss. Parents [...]
“Motherhood is no longer a high priority.” This, claims Dr. Robert Walley in a December talk at Toronto’s Holiday Inn, is the core of the abortion problem. Dr. Walley, an obstetrician from Newfoundland via England, is more than qualified to speak on the subject of motherhood. He delivers babies all over the world – from the east of Canada to the west [...]
What was the wording of the Irish constitutional amendment on abortion after the referendum? J. McC. Toronto The amendment in 1983 included this provision in the Irish Constitution: “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn child, and with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother guarantees in its laws to respect and, as far as [...]
Voluntary Death January 6 – Montreal – Mr. Justice Jacques Dufour rules in favour of terminally ill, 25 year old Nancy B’s request to have her life support system disconnected. Nancy suffers from Guillan – Barré Syndrome, a crippling sickness for which there is no cure. She appealed to the courts after doctors were hesitant to act on her behalf. The ruling [...]
September 16 – Ottawa – By a vote of 99-62, the House of Commons passes legislation ending baby bonuses and bringing in a new child benefit system aimed at helping the working poor. The baby bonus was established by Mackenzie King in 1945, to ensure that children would have their basic needs met. The monthly payments were made directly to the mothers, [...]
Roe v. Wade is often compared with the Dred Scott case. Who or what was Dred Scott? M.M., St. John’s. Dred Scott was a slave. He was taken by his owner to Illinois, a ‘free’ state where slavery was not allowed, and then to the federal territory, part of the Louisiana Purchase where slavery was prohibited under the Missouri Compromise of 1820. [...]