Member of Parliament Cathay Wagantall’s private member’s Bill C-311 was defeated in the House of Commons on June 14, but not without 113 MPs voting in support. That is 37 more MPs than when similar legislation was introduced in 2016.
If passed, the bill would have amended the Criminal Code so that when a judge is making a decision about sentencing, they would have to take into consideration if someone knowingly assaulted a pregnant woman.
In response to the We Need A Law’s “1 Crime, 2 Victims“ campaign, thousands of post cards and emails were sent to MPs, imploring them to recognize that there are two victims when a pregnant woman is attacked.
Quebec MP Rachel Bendayan was alarmed at the support for the bill, saying “Conservative MPs spoke of ‘pre-born’ children. They spoke of ‘legal voids’ caused by the ‘lack of abortion laws in Canada.’ When people tell you what they stand for, believe them.” She also said We Need A Law’s flyers “are everywhere.” She proceeded to quote from Joyce Arthur, the director of the Abortion Rights Coalition.
“If the fetuses are recognized in [law]…it could bleed into people’s consciousness and make people change their minds about abortion.”
Amen.
May we not tire in our efforts to advocate on behalf of Canada’s most vulnerable and victimized group.
Enjoyed this article?
Get the best of RP delivered to your inbox every Saturday for free.