Dear editor,
Since 1988, Canadian law has said little about unborn babies.
The Criminal Code regards a child before birth — or even during birth — as not a human being.
Ontario MP Stephen Woodworth, questioning this state of affairs, attempted to set up a committee to consider the current law and the possibility of changing it. His motion met with defeat on Wednesday.
The MPs who opposed Mr. Woodworth seem to have two main reasons: The motion would reopen debate about abortion and intrude into women’s rights. I cannot see that either argument is legitimate.
Discussion about abortion has never been properly concluded in Canada, and a parliamentary committee might be a more orderly way to conduct the conversation. At least it would give Parliament an opportunity to clarify the ambiguity left by the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the previous abortion law.
In addition, contrary to what many have said, this case is not about women’s rights. It is about the rights to the bodies and lives of unborn infants.
That question, in our country at least, has never been given a satisfactory answer.
For the sake of Canada’s children, we ought to demand one.
Brendon Johnson,
Courtenay
Editor's note: Brendon Johnson is currently studying in South Carolina.