During the federal election of November last, abortion surfaced as an issue in the English debate and in the media coverage at large. At one point Jean Chretien intoned that it’s a settled issue for Canadians and that we have had social peace on the issue for a long time. Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark used slightly different words, but his pro-abortion sentiment was virtually identical to Chretien’s. Stockwell Day did not initiate discussion on the subject, but the Canadian Alliance platform would allow for citizen-initiated referenda on social issues. And abortion would almost certainly be included in any such list.
Let us ask the question. Is Jean Chretien right? Do we in Canada have a settled social peace on this issue?
There are millions of Canadians who view abortion as the killing of innocent life. Could we say that they are at peace in a society that gives absolutely no protection right up to the moment of birth? Countless other Canadians might describe abortion as a necessary evil, but even they are revolted at the total lack of regulation. Women who are often left alone and unsupported opt for abortion when they don’t see any other choice. But their personal peace is often short-lived, as a certain percentage of them will experience post-abortion syndrome. And what about the most vulnerable of all in this discussion, the unborn children? Can we honestly say that they have a “settled social peace”?
Canada has a long history of “peacemaking.” Over the years we have sent soldiers to scores of countries around the world to keep warring factions at bay. We Canadians should be proud of this.
Canada has recently tried to make peace with our First Nations communities. We have not done well in the past in keeping peace by keeping faith with treaties signed. But we Canadians can be proud that at this point in time we are working and making progress in bringing social peace between the original inhabitants and the latecomers.
Canada has an enviable record of incorporating immigrants into our pluralistic society. Not everybody tolerates new Canadians, but on the whole they have been accepted into the mosaic that is our Canada. And in an overall way we can say that Canada is a welcoming society where we have social peace. We should be proud of this accomplishment.
Yes, Canada has much to be proud of. We have done the work of peacemaking. We have not turned a blind eye to injustice in other countries. How ironical that we overlook the cruel injustice that allows one in four babies to be aborted in our own country. Should Canadians be proud of what we have done with the abortion issue in this country? Should we strive for justice in far off countries and then make a mockery of justice for the most vulnerable in our own Canada? Can we really say that we have a settled social peace on abortion in this country?
Sane, objective and respectful discussion on this crucial issue must be reopened by politicians. Citizens from every walk of life should be invited to the table. We must offer alternatives to stressed and vulnerable women so that they don’t see abortion as their only option. Perhaps ways can be found to hold men responsible (they did have a part after all) so that the woman is not left isolated and hung out to dry. Will Canada
continue to be one of the very few countries in the world where this tragic blight on society is totally unregulated?
Messrs. Cretien and Clark, let me assure you there is no settled social peace on abortion in Canada. As long as innocent life is conceived, so long as innocent blood is casually spilled, This issue is not going to go away!
