On or around May 14, there were eight marches for life in each of the provincial capitals except Toronto and Quebec City, drawing many thousands of pro-lifers to join the call to “let life win,” the theme of this year’s National March for Life in Ottawa.
B.C. Catholic reported that there were more than 2000 demonstrators, including 500 high school students, in Victoria for the eighth annual March for Life in British Columbia.
The crowd chanted “Caring, not killing! Caring, not killing!” and Emily Ryznar of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform said, “It is a sobering truth to realize that the reason we are gathered here today is because before the day is over, 300 more children will be decapitated, dismembered, and disembowelled in our country.”
Noting that euthanasia and assisted suicide were added as concerns this year on top of abortion, Edward Vanwoudenberg, former head of the Christian Heritage Party, said, “It’s an extension. If you lose respect for life, it goes across the spectrum. It starts with the unborn and it ends up with the elderly, weak, and handicapped.” Bishop Gary Gordon of Victoria said, “Today we are invited to consider our friendship with the vulnerable, the weak, the dispossessed, and the unwanted in our society.”
The Alberta March for Life Association reported approximately 3,100 participants at their event in Edmonton. The March followed a different route this year, beginning at the Sir Winston Churchill Square because the Alberta legislature limits public rallies to two hours. Seven bishops participated in the pre-March Mass at St. Joseph’s Basilica. Couples for Christ provided music ministry at the Square.
The New Brunswick March for Life attracted 300 people according to local media accounts and a smaller but more vocal group of counter-protesters. A majority of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative caucus attended and addressed the crowd. MLA Jody Carr said, “PC MLAs have continued to maintain that only abortions that are medically necessary be performed in public hospitals.” The Brian Gallant Liberals, elected last fall, have vowed to increase abortion access in the province.
Former lieutenant-governor Graydon Nicholas also spoke. “I’ve got my voice back, a voice I had to set aside,” said Nicholas, who as a lieutenant-governor and provincial court judge was prohibited from expressing his opinion on the issue.
CTV Atlantic said that there were “testy moments” between the pro-life and pro-abortion protesters, but no major incidents were reported.
On May 7, the Saskatchewan March for Life took place in Regina at the provincial legislature, attracting 200 particpants. Groups involved in presentations included Campaign Life Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Pro-Life Association, the Knights of Columbus, Silent No More, Parental Consent Sask., and the Catholic Women’s League. Several MLAs attended but did not speak. There was also a display of blue and pink flags along Victoria Avenue and Albert Street representing the boys and girls killed by abortion each year.
The annual Mother’s Day Walk in Saskatoon doubled up as a second Saskatchewan March for Life. The May 10 event focused on the attack on the conscience rights of doctors in the province.
There were also regional marches for life in Winnipeg, Halifax, Charlottetown, and St. John’s.
McNeil government denies Nova Scotia the freedom to have the March for Life info HERE
Saskatchewan March for Life HERE
