Canadian Children With No Legal Protection
Today (January 28) marks 37 years since the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the country’s abortion regulations, leaving all pre-born children without legal protection.
The justices never intended for this legal vacuum to persist for nearly four decades. In their ruling, they rightly looked to Parliament—the elected lawmakers—to introduce new legislation that would at least protect pre-born children after the first trimester. However, after several failed attempts to pass an abortion law, the government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney abandoned the effort, facing criticism from both pro-life and pro-choice groups.
Since 2012, ARPA Canada, through its We Need A Law campaign, has been working to build support for restoring legal protection for pre-born children. Our approach has been incremental, focusing on areas of common ground among Canadians, particularly in addressing late-term and sex-selective abortions.
These efforts have faced significant challenges, especially over the past nine years, under what many consider the most pro-abortion government in Canada’s history. As we stand at the threshold of a new federal government, it’s worth reflecting on whether real change is possible.
Will a new government have the courage to support vulnerable women who feel abortion is their only option? Will it continue to allow taxpayer-funded abortions at any stage of pregnancy? Or will it once again dismiss the plight of pre-born children as a political liability?
My hope and prayer is that Canadians—especially pro-life Canadians—will consider these questions seriously as they engage in the upcoming election campaign. I encourage them to press candidates for real answers and ensure their votes support meaningful change.
Thirty-seven years is far too long for this injustice to continue. It is appalling that Canada remains the only democracy in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion.”
Mike Schouten, Executive Director at ARPA Canada
We encourage you to press candidates for real answers and ensure their votes support meaningful change.