Picketing grows in New Brunswick
MONCTON- Pro-life supporters in New Brunswick are expanding pickets at provincial hospitals and abortion clinics. A group of seven to 10 activists began semi-regular picketing of Moncton City Hospital in late March. The hospital is noted for committing late-term abortions. The initiative complements ongoing pickets of Henry Morgentaler’s abortion clinic in Fredericton. According to New Brunswick Right to Life president George Gilmore, the pickets are proving effective in increasing awareness of abortion in the province. “We wanted to make better use of these peaceful vigils in New Brunswick, especially in light of the fact that pro-life picketing is being severely restricted in other provinces,” Gilmore said.
Funding changes worry feminists
TORONTO- A coalition of feminist groups fear that access to abortion and contraception services may be curtailed by the Ontario government’s move to transfer funding to local municipalities. Activists representing the Ontario Coalition of Abortion Clinics and the National Action Committee on the Status of Women organized a March 26 media conference in Toronto to express their concerns. In addition to the funding changes, the group is concerned over the closing of some Ontario hospitals which currently offer abortion. The Ontario health ministry now allocates $19 million annually for birth control programs in the province.
Trial date set for Robert Latimer
REGINA- Saskatchewan farmer Robert Latimer’s second trial is scheduled to begin October 27, nearly four years to the day he ended the life of his severely disabled daughter Tracy. The case will be heard in Battlefield, Sask., about 40 kilometers north of the Latimer family farm. Latimer was convicted of first degree murder in 1994 and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years. Procedural irregularities and charges of jury tampering led the Supreme Court to set aside the original conviction and order a new trial.