One pro-family group REAL Women of Canada has had its requests for funding consistently denied by the federal government.  Another, the Alberta Federation of Women United for Families, actually got so far as to have a cheque for $8,000 in the mail, only to have Secretary of State David Crombie stop payment.  Why?

These groups are contaminated in bureaucratic eyes by standing proudly for pro-life principles, that why.  The Secretary of State’s press aide attempts to deflect criticism by saying that the department does not fund either side of the abortion issue.  Is that so?

The Women’s Programme of the Secretary of State does indeed fund groups involved in the abortion issue – as long as the groups are pro-abortion.

Over $12 million poured out from government coffers this last year to feminist groups who either actively lobby for increased abortion, or join the umbrella groups lobbying in their name.  Our front-page story this month details the kind of activities sponsored by the Ottawa Women’s Week Committee:  Pro-abortion and pro-lesbian workshops topped the agenda…financed with $15,000 from the taxpayer – you and me.

And the public is supposed to be easily gulled by political rhetoric denying the government’s involvement.

Currently, yet another parliamentary committee is holding cross-Canada hearings to determine whether the Women’s Programme should continue after 1988 and, if so, what groups should be funded.  Like the equality and day care committees before it, this one is hearing from the parade of groups intent on defending the anti-life and anti-family status quo.

Cynics can easily predict the outcome: the groups heavily dependent on government funding will defend their monopoly (and misrepresent the views of everyone else); the MPs on the committee will opt for recommendations that, they hope, will soothe the largest number – or the most vocal – of voters.

Is it any wonder that so many Canadians have lost confidence in the existing political parties and are attracted to the federal Christian Heritage Party and the Family Coalition Party of Ontario?

These new parties face enormous struggles.  Not only do they have to get elected, they have to tackle such blatantly undemocratic programmes as the Secretary of State’s Women’s Programme.  It may well be that this continuing discrimination against pro-family groups is not the will of our elected representatives.  The majority of Conservative MPs, at any rate, are said to support pro-family viewpoints  If that is so, it appears that the lobbyists in bed with the un-elected civil service are shaping social policy in Canada.

It’s time to pull the plug.  Take the power and the tax dollars from the bureaucrats and dismantle the Women’s Programme.  Let those who wish their views heard in public finance their work through supporters’ contributions.