The New Democratic party has a long-standing policy of abortion on demand. This was reaffirmed at the party’s national convention held in Regina the weekend of July 1. Delegates to the convention also lent support to two further anti-life resolutions.
Firstly, the NDP officially supports Henry Morgentaler’s abortion clinics in both Winnipeg and Toronto. The party also supports the establishment of similar clinics throughout the Canada “wherever necessary.”
Secondly, the party condemned the alleged police “harassment” and the laying of charges against the staff at Morgentaler’s Winnipeg clinic.
This second resolution caused much controversy. The federal NDP was seen to be slapping the wrists of the Manitoba government – the only provincial NDP government in Canada.
Manitoba Premier Howard Pawley said he was disappointed but not surprised at the resolution. He stated, “it is the responsibility of political leaders to change federal laws they don’t agree with, not provincial governments.” Pawley pointed out that Attorney General Roland Penner is personally “pro-choice”, but he had an obligation to uphold the law as he finds it.”
The responsibility for the NDP’s increasing emphasis on abortion-oriented policies lies largely at the feet of the pro-abortion feminists.
The feminist element is rapidly gaining strength with the members of the Women’s Caucus holding positions on the Executive Council. They have also dominated and controlled the Resolutions Committee.
The NDP has for a long time been assiduously courting the so-called “women’s vote.” They are being manipulated by pro-abortion feminists wanting a party to call their own. A further example of this deliberate take-over is seen in the passing by a two-to-one show of hands of an amendment to the party constitution, the purpose of which was to give women not only a prominent, but also a permanent position in the party.
The amendment provided that, from now on, four out of the eight top party jobs filled at conventions must go to women. That is , there must be at least a minimum of four women, but no maximum number of women, to fill leadership roles in the party. A male delegate tried to bring an amendment that four men as well as four women be required to be chosen, so that there would not be “discrimination” against men, but his proposal was given a short shrift.
