A memorial service and burial were held in Minneapolis in January, following the discovery of the bodies of thirteen aborted babies tossed in a dumpster behind an abortion clinic in suburban Robbinsdale. “What kind of human beings discard other human beings with coffee grounds and cigarette butts in today’s trash? Asked Michael Gaworski, president of Pro-Life Action ministries, “Finding babies’ bodies in [...]
(This is the first in a series of short profiles on Federal Members of Parliament who have demonstrated a commitment to pro-life ideals.) A veterinarian and veterinary surgeon, Gus Mitges was born in Greece and came to Canada at an early age. He grew up in Guelph, Ontario, where he completed his education at the University of Guelph. [...]
The motion of Gus Mitges (Grey-Simcoe) which seeks the agreement of the House of Commons to consider amending the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to explicitly protect the unborn child received the first of five hours of debate on Friday, November 21. The debate in the House of Commons was attended by ten Members of Parliament, the Acting Speaker [...]
Court-ordered contraceptive sterilization of the mentally-handicapped should become unknown in Canada following a Supreme Court of Canada ruling in late October. Judge Gerard La Forest wrote that such cases should be approached with “the utmost caution,” adding later in the judgement that “it is difficult to imagine a case in which non-therapeutic sterilization could possibly be of benefit to [...]
On December 2, MPPs voted to amend Ontario’s Human Rights Code to include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination. The amendment, part of Bill 7, and omnibus bill bringing Ontario legislation in line with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, passed after weeks of intense lobbying from groups on both sides and after a week of intense debate [...]
International While many Catholics (including Catholic politicians) remain determined opponents of abortion, some of the politicians are changing their former “sit-on-the-fence attitude” into one of open support for abortion. It is not clear, yet, whether this change in attitude is accompanied by a break of ties with their Church. In June, Senator Jesse Helms (R., N.C.) proposed an amendment to the State [...]
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) does not appear satisfied with the speed at which its goals are being attained world-wide, judging by the recommendations for action suggested in its latest publication, “The Human Right to Family Planning,” (November, 1983). Perhaps the most disturbing statement in their report is the recommendation that “family planning” associations “should not use the absence of law [...]
In a hopelessly and sadly confused article in the Toronto Star (July 6) TV science personality David Suzuki declared himself in favour of a woman’s right to abortion. Typical of his thinking were the article’s concluding lines: “Today women have a legitimate need for access to medically safe, cheap abortion facilities. There is no reason to deny this, as long as, at [...]
Introduction: There has been so much controversy as of late over the issue of women’s “right” to abortion on demand. Realizing the arguments for the against and the increasing number of women in Canada desiring this form of so-called “birth control,” I desire to share my thoughts with your readers. Women say that only they are qualified to be the final authority [...]
Unmarried couples, single people and homosexuals have as much right to adopt children as do heterosexual married couples under the Charter of Rights. This directive from Ontario government civil servants to Children’s Aid societies was reported in Ontario newspapers on May 30 and 31. This directive claims to speak with authority. In reality it is an example of [...]
Radical feminist groups continue to build pressure on the PC government in Ottawa to secularize and revolutionize Canadian society and the family. NAC, the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (President Chaviva Hosek; Vice-President Louise Dulude) held a three-day lobbying effort in Ottawa in May. They came armed with resolutions from a three-day conference, including a call for [...]
On March 26 the House of Commons Justice Committee agreed to refer the issue of “sexual orientation” to a sub-committee to see whether it qualifies as a form of discrimination prohibited in the Charter of Rights. New Democrat MP Svend Robinson, (Burnaby) introduced a private member’s bill calling for the inclusion of sexual orientation in the [...]
Gay Caswell, MLA (PC—Saskatoon Westmount) told the 250 pro-lifers attending the Moose Jaw Right to Life 10th anniversary banquet recently that they are trailblazers, “fighting the most important fight in the world today.” Pro-lifers are fighting “all those who have declared war on the family – those who would see the institution of the family destroyed,” Mrs. Caswell said. And, [...]
On March 4, 1985, the House of Commons discussed for an hour the private Members’ bill of PC MP Gus Mitges. Also participation in the debate were MPs Svend Robinson (NDP), Mary Collions (PC) and Alen Redway (PC). The following are some extracts, together with summaries: That, in the opinion of this House, the Constitution Act, 1982, should be [...]
The ever-widening chasm between doctors who respect life and those who believe they have the right to decide who should live and who should die is perhaps nowhere more clearly shown than in their attitudes towards the child with spina bifida. Thirty years ago, a baby born with spina bifida had a miniscule chance of living beyond a few months. [...]