Editor’s note. All pro-lifers and probably most Americans know that today is the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. What few of us know is that Canada is without any abortion law, courtesy of a 1988 Supreme Court decision. The following is a reminder that the 25th anniversary of that disastrous decision is rapidly approaching and that for the first time in a very long time there is real movement in the debate over abortion.
Surrey, B.C. -January 28th marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of R. v. Morgentaler. The much talked about, written about, and dissected Supreme Court decision chartered a course for Canada unlike any other democracy in the world- no legal protection for pre-born children at any stage of development.
“Twenty-five years has been far too long, but I believe we are on the threshold of major shift,” said WeNeedaLAW.ca campaign director, Mike Schouten.
“Abortion is not solely a women’s rights issue. The reality is, it’s a human rights issue and Canada fails to measure up when it comes to how it treats the most vulnerable members of the human family,” continued Schouten.
“Environics conducted a poll last year which found that 72% of respondents felt the law should recognize the rights of pre-born children. We understand that the politics of this issue are complicated, but that doesn’t excuse a First World nation like Canada from doing what it can to protect all members of the human family, and not discriminate based on their location,” said Schouten.
Schouten believes there are three factors contributing to the pervasiveness in which pre-born human rights continue to receive public attention in Canada.
“First, scientific advances make it increasingly difficult to dispute the humanity of the pre-born child, and today’s culture is unwilling to blindly follow previously accepted dogma. Second, the pro-life movement in Canada is changing. There is a greater understanding of politics, and advocates for pre-born human rights are beginning to realize that shifts in public policy only happen incrementally. And third, an entire generation has felt the effects of unrestricted abortion. We can no longer pretend to celebrate something that has hurt so many,” he said.
“The Supreme Court decision which came down twenty-five years ago did not give Canadian women a ‘right’ to abortion. The justices in the Morgentaler case sent a loud and clear message that it was up to Parliament to create laws protecting the fetus,” concluded Schouten.
“Twenty-five years is long enough. It’s time for Canada to start setting things right by addressing the injustice that ‘choice’ presents.’”