The Ontario government under David Peterson is putting its programme for more abortions into high gear now that the Liberals have been re-elected with a commanding majority. Health Minister Elinor Caplan recently announced that women’s health clinics are planned for a dozen Ontario hospitals. Ostensibly intended to provide a range of women’s health services, these clinics will in fact principally function as centres for convenient abortion.
Peterborough is the first city to learn that its local hospital, Peterborough Civic Hospital, is about to become the site of such a government-financed abortion centre. The hospital invited Dr. Marion Powell to come to address the Hospital board on how abortion access could be increased in Peterborough. Following her visit, the hospital board announced that a special Task Force had been struck to study the establishment of a women’s health clinic.
The reaction of Peterborough residents has been sharp, loud and negative. Public debate was sparked by Peterborough Physicians for Life, a group of 24 pro-life doctors who placed two full-page ads in the local daily newspaper objecting to the proposed clinic. In their ad, the Physicians made it clear that abortions are not good health care and that the clinic’s principal purpose would be to provide easy access to abortion.
In one of the ads, the names, addresses and home phone numbers of all members of the hospital board were listed. Readers were encouraged to write or phone the members of the board to voice opposition to the proposed clinic. The suggestion led to a flood of phone calls to the board members. One received so many that he unplugged his phone ofr two evenings in a row. Another speculated in the local press about suing the doctors for having printed his phone numbers.
A meeting of the hospital board was scheduled for later the same week and word quickly spread among pro-lifers. So many people showed up for the meeting that it had to be transferred to the hospital cafeteria. Even it was not large enough to hold the crowd and a loudspeaker was set up in an adjoining room where people could watch the proceedings through a glass wall. That room was also filled to over-flowing and people were left to stand in the halls. Almost without exception, the 400 people in attendance were there to voice opposition to the clinic proposal.
The board’s initial reaction has been to indicate that it is not particularly concerned about the views of the public. Prior to the open meeting, the board met behind closed doors where it decided that the Task Force headed by Dr. Keats would receive submissions and report back to the board. The hospital board indicated it would not be hearing submissions from members of the public and the task force decided it would receive written submissions only. That decision had Peterborough Pro-Life President Paul up in arms. “The hospital is trying to avoid facing the public on the issue”, said Morgan. “They have a responsibility to listen to the opinions and the objections of the people who live here.” Morgan expressed concern that the Task Force set up by the hospital board is in fact a sham as five of the six people appointed are known to be pro-abortion.
The arrogance shown by the hospital board reflected that demonstrated by Health Minister Caplan. From the beginning of the controversy she has made it clear that sh will implement her plans for abortion clinics, regardless of the public outcry which may arise.
“The wonderful part of our democracy” said Caplan, “is that people can have their say and then we proceed to do what we can to ensure the delivery of needed services.”
The furor created in Peterborough drove Caplan to take an even more undemocratic stand. Having seen opposition mushroom in Peterborough, Caplan told the Ontario Legislature that her department will not announce plans for other proposed clinics until they have been approved and implemented.
The government’s proposed scheme is an expensive one. The Liberals have ear-marked 2.5 million dollars to establish the clinics and Caplan has stated that more money will be made available if necessary. Some twelve clinics are planned for different sites around the province. Under pressure from the Health ministry, a number of hospitals have already submitted proposals to the government. These submissions include some by hospitals in Metro Toronto.
“The government is being dishonest”, said Mary Ellen Douglas, President of Campaign Life Coalition of Ontario. “They say the clinics are intended to provide even access to abortion and then propose setting them up in a place line Toronto.”
The aggressive promotion of abortion facilities by Caplan comes as no surprise to pro-life leaders in Ontario. Caplan was first elected to the Legislature in 1985. She ran against an incumbent pro-lifer and was the only candidate in the province to run on a platform which highlighted a demand for “abortion rights”,
Similarly, the promotion of abortion facilities by the Peterson government was expected. Since coming to power in 1985, the Peterson government has consistently pursued pro-abortion policies. Some pro-life voters had believed that these policies were the result of the government’s alliance with the N.D.P. With a large Liberal majority now on the Legislature, there is common agreement that the present push for more abortions represents the Liberal government policy.
“We had been telling voters that a vote for the Liberals was a vote for more abortions” said Douglas, “but being vindicated only saddens us”.
