Approximately 50 people took part in distributing door hangers around Ponoka last weekend to advocate for some type of abortion law in Canada.
Working with Red Deer and District Pro-Life and the Association of Reformed Political Action (ARPA), the group passed out door hangers Saturday, April 2 as they explained why they wanted to see laws on abortion.
Organizers Valerie Beukema and Shanae Vander Ploeg spoke on the group’s plans.
“Canada has absolutely no law regarding abortions,” said Beukema
The flyer they handed out to people presents statistics regarding abortion and how Canada sits compared to other countries. It states there are no restrictions to abortions in Canada and suggests there should be some laws on the issue.
“We don’t want to intrude in people’s lives. We just want them to talk about it. Have conversation,” said Vander Ploeg of the campaign.
The group’s belief is that life begins at conception and they want political leaders to create laws that protect the fetus.
When asked about those who advocate for a woman’s right to choose, Beukema suggests there are many choices available to women. “But the one choice of killing the child within her shouldn’t be a legal choice,” she explained.
“It’s not necessarily telling them (women) what to do. It’s saying, ‘It’s a life,’” added Vander Ploeg.
With regard to the question of an unwanted pregnancies such as resulting from a rape, Beukema replied there are many people she has spoken to who decided against an abortion and who brought their child into the world. She has spoken with women who are a product of rape who have stated their life is of value regardless of how they were conceived.
The group wants to see implementation of laws that would require a woman to see the ultrasound before having an abortion. They also want parents of young women to know about the abortion before it occurs.
Beukema said there is support available to women and men looking at other options besides abortion.
As there is no law related to abortion, the procedure is governed by the Canada Health Act and falls under a medical procedure.
In 1988 the Supreme Court of Canada passed a landmark judgment on a case where Dr. Henry Morgantaler challenged abortion laws in several provinces by opening up abortion clinics and conducting abortions. The judgment stated that the laws were unconstitutional.
“Forcing a woman, by threat of criminal sanction, to carry a foetus to term unless she meets certain criteria unrelated to her own priorities and aspirations, is a profound interference with a woman’s body and thus an infringement of security of the person,” states part of the judgement.
Other attempts at new abortion laws were made but did not come to life.