The Interim spoke with Margaret Purcell, Vice-President of Campaign Life Coalition, on the response and plans of Campaign life to the abortion bill tabled by the Mulroney government.

What is the stand of Campaign Life Coalition on the new bill?

Campaign Life Coalition regards the proposed legislation as being totally pro-abortion. There is nothing of a compromise nature in the legislation and it is certainly not “pro-life in spirit” as was stated by one MP.

There is consensus among the leaders of Campaign Life Coalition coast to coast that the proposed legislation should be defeated. Although the first few lines tend to make it sound pro-life, the exceptions amply demonstrate that its intent is abortion on demand.

Would Campaign Life Coalition oppose amendments that would improve the bill but not perhaps make it fully pro-life?

The position taken by Campaign Life Coalition is that unless an amendment is introduced which would allow total protection of the unborn child with no exceptions, the bill is not acceptable.

Isn’t there a rule that amendments which substantially alter the nature of a bill are out of order?

Amendments which reverse the intent of a bill are not allowed.

Does it seem likely to you that such radical amendments will be introduced and if so by whom?

We have no way of knowing who will introduce amendments. We have no indication of any amendments.

Failing pro-life amendments, what does Campaign Life Coalition recommend to the pro-life MPs?

Our first objective is to have the proposed legislation defeated in its entirety. If no totally pro-life amendment is introduced and carried, we will have the option of supporting private member’s bills which are totally pro-life.

In other words, Campaign Life Coalition believes it is better not to have a law than this one?

Yes! This is the worst possible legislation that has been offered so far and far worse than no law at all. Because while we have no law, it is easier to introduce something that is pro-life than it is to change pro-abortion legislation that is already in place.

How widespread do you think your stand is among pro-lifers?

First of all, I don’t think that we should make the broad assumption that this legislation will be passed. We hope that those loyal pro-life Members of Parliament will stay firmly committed to the protection of all human life. In addition it would appear that the Liberal Party and the NDP will oppose it. We still have time to bring pressure on MPs to defeat it. We still have time to bring pressure on MPs to defeat it. We must mobilize with this in mind.

David Kilgour from Edmonton has said that the imposition of cabinet solidarity is a breach of Progressive Conservative tradition. Please respond to this statement.

I think that any imposition upon members of cabinet or caucus by the Prime Minister or the Justice Minister breaches the security of the person of MPs. While the Prime Minister and Justice Minister speak of free votes, they are still threatening retaliation against those who would oppose the government position.

What are the feelings of Campaign Life Coalition directors towards the Progressive Conservative Party now that Prime Minister Mulroney has supported this wide-open bill?

There is absolute solidarity in the ranks of Campaign Life Coalition leaders as to the evil nature of this proposed legislation and they therefore, oppose MPs from all parties who would support this type of legislation.

One final question. What do you think the outcome of this legislation struggle will be? Will this bill pass and will it pass before Christmas?

As I have already said, we should not assume that this proposed legislation will pass. The pro-abortion people say they don’t like it even though the intent of the bill will give them what they want- abortion on demand. The pro-life people vehemently oppose it because it is cruel hoax against the unborn. The NDP and the Liberal Party are likely en bloc to oppose it. We hope that the many Conservative pro-life MPs will also oppose it because no one who considers him or herself to be pro life could possible support it. This pro-abortion legislation is so blatantly pro-abortion that one would hope it will shock church and community leaders in addition to Canadian pro-life membership into mobilizing and making a more concerted effort than ever to demand legislation which will protect all human life from conception to natural death with no exceptions whatsoever.