Canada Liberal Party Leader Pushes Pro-Abortion Agenda, Pro-Life Group Critical
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 4, 2010
Ottawa, Canada (LifeNews.com) — Michael Ignatieff, the leader of the Liberal Party in Canada, is calling on the administration of Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper to ensure that he will not promote any limits on abortion. Ignatieff’s push is earning him criticism from the national pro-life group Campaign Life Coalition.
In a Tuesday press statement, Ignatieff said, "Liberal MPs are calling on Stephen Harper to assure Canadians that he won’t change Canada’s long-standing tradition of recognizing women’s reproductive rights, (such as abortion) and access to contraception, as part of his maternal health initiative."
He wants the Prime Minister to "work in full partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation."
Jim Hughes, the president of Campaign Life Coalition, issued his own statement in response.
"Michael Ignatieff once again shows his extreme pro-abortion position in order to garner what he assumes will translate into pro-abortion votes for his leaderless Liberal Party," he said.
"We understand that Ignatieff is not speaking on behalf of his entire caucus but the Women’s Caucus of the Liberal Party," he continued. "IPPF is the leading promoter of abortion in developing countries."
The pro-life group congratulated Harper for his proposal that would promote maternal and infant healthcare in the developing world at the G8 and G20 Conferences.
"This care will include safe water and good pregnancy treatment and care before and after the child is born," said Hughes. "This care is provided by positive organizations such as MaterCare International."
Hughes also commented on Ignatieff’s statement that "the right to abortion is too sacred to become a political football" and "women are entitled to the full gamet of reproductive health services and that includes termination of pregnancy (abortion) and contraception."
He said it shows clearly to all Canadians who has a hidden, and now exposed, political agenda.
"Ignatieff has become a mouthpiece for the pro-abortion activists within his party," he explained.
"His suggestion that his Canadian pro-abortion position be imposed on the developing world which needs medical assistance is unconscionable. For years Ignatieff has accused the Harper government of having a "hidden agenda" and now we know where he intends to take the Liberal Party on this issue," Hughes continued.
"The abortion issue is not settled as Ignatieff’s predecessor Jean Chretien said and it will never be settled as long as babies are being killed. What has been settled clearly is where Ignatieff stands," added Mr. Hughes. "Iggy’s comments show that the issue is not dead… let the debate begin."
Mary Ellen Douglas, the national organizer of CLC, chimed in as well.
"If Mr. Ignatieff thinks that the women of Canada accept his statement he is very mistaken and I expect his mistake will cost him dearly at the ballot box," she said.
Related web sites:
Campaign Life Coalition – https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com
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