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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Happy New Year! I hope you will enjoy reading some of the historical content in this issue of REALity. More will be included in future issues of REALity in 2008. Our Ottawa Chapter is now busy planning our Anniversary AGM and conference to be held on September 20, 2008 at the lovely and historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa. I hope you will plan to be there.

On a sadder note, January 28th, 2008, marks another anniversary — the 20th anniversary of the Morgentaler decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, which struck down protection for the unborn at any stage of development in Canada. Canada is, regretfully, the only country in the developed nations of the world with no restrictions on abortion.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians, who have never committed a crime, have suffered capital punishment since abortion became legal in 1969 and then was unrestricted in 1988. Hundreds of thousands of inventors, creators, doctors, plumbers, sons, daughters, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and now grandparents have been wiped from the Canadian landscape in a wash of blood and “products of conception”. What a tragedy of epic proportions!

And did you know that Alexa McDonough, NDP MP (Halifax) and former leader of her party, claims “that never in [her] 40 years of involvement in the women’s movement, and 28 years in public life . . . [has she ever] had a single woman, a single advocate, a single representative of a single organization, or an individual family member come to [her]” and express support for unborn victims of crime legislation. This was included in her speech rejecting Bill C-484, Unborn Victims of Crime Act tabled by Conservative MP Ken Epp (Edmonton, Sherwood Park). Ms. McDonough said that she needs to be convinced that Canadian women want Bill C-484 passed, which provides that the unborn child is to be regarded, in law, as a victim when the mother is attacked. McDonough also said that if she did have reason to believe that Canadian women did want this law to pass, she would “consider” their opinions when voting on Bill C-484 in second reading.

That sounds to me like a challenge. I hope you will join me in accepting.

Please write to:

or contact her in Ottawa:

She can also be emailed at McDonA@parl.gc.ca or phoned free of charge in Ottawa at 1-866-599-4999. Ask the switchboard to put you through to her. Please make sure you also send a copy of your communication to your MP, and to Ken Epp, MP, both at the House of Commons address above.

It has been good to hear from you by cards and letters. Let’s not lose touch. As the volunteers who make up the REAL Women of Canada board continue to work for ideals which are important to all of us, please remember that we do love to hear from you — and we could not do what we do without your financial, prayer and moral support.

Until next time,

Laurie

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