v***@aol.com
2006-01-20 10:09:01 UTC
WILL STEPHEN HARPER TAKE AWAY WOMEN'S RIGHTS?
When asked if he would commit to never allow a free vote on abortion
legislation, Stephen Harper yesterday told Global Television "never
is a long time."
Mr. Harper went on to say that he has "no desire to see that issue
debated in, in the near, in the future . . . Frankly, I don't want
this Parliament to have an abortion debate." (underline added.)
He then refused to give a clear answer as to whether or not he
supported a woman's right to choose.
Given Mr. Harper's unwillingness to defend their rights, perhaps
Canadian women can take comfort in the fact that, as Mr. Harper says,
"the Liberal Senate in the past was extremely uncooperative when their
party wasn't in power."
So this Parliament won't be able to debate abortion, and women's
rights are safe for another few years - at least until Mr. Harper can
push through his senate reform plans.
It's no wonder women's groups believe Mr. Harper has a hidden
agenda to take away rights.
Dr. Henry Morgentaler warned earlier this week "I don't think women in
this country or people who love women in this country should trust the
Conservatives on abortion."
Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD) has also cautioned
Canadian women that a Conservative government could take measures to
limit a woman's right to choose.
There are a number of ways in which an anti-choice government could
restrict or limit choice, including:
Refusing to approve new contraceptives;
Placing restrictions on family planning agencies that receive federal
funding;
Changing government health policy to allow provinces to opt out of
funding for abortions; and
Changing the Criminal Code or the Constitution to give legal status to
foetuses.
Many of these actions would not require legislation, so the senate
would not be able to stop them. Will Mr. Harper commit to not
implementing any of these measures?
And when it comes to legislation, Stephen Harper's position is clear.
He has consistently said that he will allow a free vote on private
members bills on abortion, for his entire caucus including his cabinet:
"I would not force a vote on a moral question like abortion on my
cabinet. ...I always said, on these kinds of issues, Member of
Parliament, including cabinet ministers, are going to be free to vote
their conscience." (Stephen Harper, Media Scrum, June 4, 2004)
Furthermore, a number of Conservative candidates have said they will
bring forward private members bills and press the anti-abortion agenda
if elected. For example, Saskatchewan Conservative Maurice Vellacott
has said; "I will continue to, as would other colleagues here, bring
forth bills of a pro-life nature." (CBC Television, May 13, 2004)
Stockwell Day, Jason Kenney, and Cheryl Gallant are also on record
opposing women's right to choose and would likely become Cabinet
ministers in a Harper government. (Canada Newswire June 18, 2004)
Mr. Harper needs to come clean and tell Canadians whether his
government will move to restrict choice for women. Canadian women
deserve to know.
When asked if he would commit to never allow a free vote on abortion
legislation, Stephen Harper yesterday told Global Television "never
is a long time."
Mr. Harper went on to say that he has "no desire to see that issue
debated in, in the near, in the future . . . Frankly, I don't want
this Parliament to have an abortion debate." (underline added.)
He then refused to give a clear answer as to whether or not he
supported a woman's right to choose.
Given Mr. Harper's unwillingness to defend their rights, perhaps
Canadian women can take comfort in the fact that, as Mr. Harper says,
"the Liberal Senate in the past was extremely uncooperative when their
party wasn't in power."
So this Parliament won't be able to debate abortion, and women's
rights are safe for another few years - at least until Mr. Harper can
push through his senate reform plans.
It's no wonder women's groups believe Mr. Harper has a hidden
agenda to take away rights.
Dr. Henry Morgentaler warned earlier this week "I don't think women in
this country or people who love women in this country should trust the
Conservatives on abortion."
Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD) has also cautioned
Canadian women that a Conservative government could take measures to
limit a woman's right to choose.
There are a number of ways in which an anti-choice government could
restrict or limit choice, including:
Refusing to approve new contraceptives;
Placing restrictions on family planning agencies that receive federal
funding;
Changing government health policy to allow provinces to opt out of
funding for abortions; and
Changing the Criminal Code or the Constitution to give legal status to
foetuses.
Many of these actions would not require legislation, so the senate
would not be able to stop them. Will Mr. Harper commit to not
implementing any of these measures?
And when it comes to legislation, Stephen Harper's position is clear.
He has consistently said that he will allow a free vote on private
members bills on abortion, for his entire caucus including his cabinet:
"I would not force a vote on a moral question like abortion on my
cabinet. ...I always said, on these kinds of issues, Member of
Parliament, including cabinet ministers, are going to be free to vote
their conscience." (Stephen Harper, Media Scrum, June 4, 2004)
Furthermore, a number of Conservative candidates have said they will
bring forward private members bills and press the anti-abortion agenda
if elected. For example, Saskatchewan Conservative Maurice Vellacott
has said; "I will continue to, as would other colleagues here, bring
forth bills of a pro-life nature." (CBC Television, May 13, 2004)
Stockwell Day, Jason Kenney, and Cheryl Gallant are also on record
opposing women's right to choose and would likely become Cabinet
ministers in a Harper government. (Canada Newswire June 18, 2004)
Mr. Harper needs to come clean and tell Canadians whether his
government will move to restrict choice for women. Canadian women
deserve to know.