News reports circulating late last week indicated that a vote would be held in Parliament on Tuesday, March 23 (today) that would put a “poison pill” in the government’s proposal to seek resources through the G8 to improve health outcomes for women and children in other countries. Opposition MPs, led by the Honourable Michael Ignatieff are seeking to force the Prime Minister to include abortion and contraception in his offer of help to the world. His public statements about the aid package were centered on clean water, medical training and other health-related initiatives.
The crass and blatantly partisan use of maternal health issues and tragic infant mortality rates to score political points in Canada is disgusting. Canada is a giving nation, a compassionate nation and a free nation. All of us expect to see Canada provide leadership in humanitarian initiatives. We all want to reduce suffering and untimely deaths. Our desire and our ability to assist millions of women and children around the world would be a breath of fresh air and a cup of cool water for those suffering in conditions of poverty, abuse and unpleasant social conditions.
The blatant attempt by the Leader of the Opposition to turn a humanitarian gesture into a platform for partisan wrangling is another signal that some people get into politics for the wrong reason.
To attempt to link compassionate aid to the stale and stagnant spectre of even more abortions, even more killings of innocent human beings, is a ruse so despicable and morally bankrupt that it is hard to imagine. There is a promise of blessing to those who offer a cup of cold water for the thirsty, but to those who promote death for the innocent and vulnerable there can be no confidence and no quietness of conscience. While logic cannot explain how killing children will reduce infant mortality, neither can a blind subservience to dated policies justify the damage imposed on women by wholesale abortions in the face of growing evidence of the physical, emotional and psychological harm that such abortions cause.
Members of Parliament need to realize that their votes on matters of this nature will be recorded both in heaven and on earth. There is no medical or moral justification for promoting the untimely death of the innocent. Political posturing and partisan power plays on issues of life and death will bring shame to our nation and bring both lofty offices and titles of esteem into disrepute, not only in Canada but around the world.
Canada has a great and noble role to fulfil in the development of the world community. If we will recognise it and act accordingly, we have a destiny to achieve. It is to be a helper and healer, not a destroyer of life and dignity. As many prophetic voices have stated in recent years: “The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations”. Canada’s maple leaf should be a source of pride and inspiration. Let us hold it high and look for ways to promote and sustain life.
The Honourable Maurice Vellacott and the Honourable Brad Trost have produced a marvellous article which explains in helpful detail why the inclusion of abortion in efforts to help women in the developing nations is not only ethically flawed but medically harmful as well. They deserve our thanks for their tireless efforts in the House of Commons.