Ruth Institute Blog

by Shannon Roberts

by Margaret Somerville

Canada’s Parliament lacks the courage to take a stand on defining when an unborn child will be protected by the law.

“While cleaning a recently vacated apartment, a building superintendent discovered on the balcony a bag containing the remains of a human baby,” reads a Supreme Court decision from earlier this month. Read more…

by Margaret Somerville

A Quebec government report endorsing euthanasia rests on a moral relativism that has already failed the young.

An expert committee of lawyers, chaired by Maitre Jean-Pierre Ménard, was set up by the Quebec government to advise it how to implement Quebec Legislative Assembly committee report on “Dying with Dignity” (QLAC report), which advocates legalizing euthanasia. Read more…

by Margaret Somerville

After years of debate, Canada has no law on abortion. Is is possible to find an acceptable compromise to rein it in?

A recent editorial, “The abortion debate is over, so shut up” in the Vancouver newspaper, The Province, very bluntly expresses pro-choice wishful thinking on their part. This debate is not going away. It’s gaining strength.

The editorial does, however, accurately reflect a belief of many Canadians that there seems to be no way for us to reach any consensus on the law that should govern abortion, as recent votes in Parliament have consistently demonstrated.  I don’t agree, but note I’ve qualified the word consensus with the adjective “any”.

I believe a majority of Canadians can find some “common ground” regarding legal regulation of abortion, but this must be distinguished from finding unanimous agreement – that’s impossible.

For many of us, whether we are pro-choice or pro-life, this common ground will not be a “perfect” stance.  That’s unavoidable because we live in a pluralistic society where people have vastly divergent worldviews; we don’t all share the same convictions about the intrinsic dignity and value of all human beings, from their conception to their natural death; and we disagree whether the value of respect for life or that of individual autonomy should take priority when they conflict.

The present legal situation, in Canada, defended to the death by some pro-choice advocates, is that there are and should be no legal restrictions on abortion.  In stark contrast, some pro-life advocates believe that any law short of the total prohibition of abortion is unacceptable, because, agreeing to a law which still allows some abortions would constitute complicity in the evil of abortion.

Many pro-life advocates now recognize, however, that a total prohibition is not achievable, that the virtue of prudence requires them to implement the protection that is presently feasible, and protecting some unborn children is better than protecting none. Consequently, they would welcome some legal restrictions on abortion short of a complete prohibition. They rightly argue that government has an essential role to play in restricting certain activities, whereby unborn children’s human rights are violated.

Keep reading.

by Carolyn Moynihan

Researchers never stop studying the effects of out-of-home care on very young children, and that is just as well, since governments in many countries are encouraging mothers to farm out their little ones while they go to work. Research results are mixed; some find a link between daycare and better knowledge and language skills (though not always); others find increased levels of stress in young children, and a tendency to aggressive behaviour as the children get older. Read more…

by Andrea Mrozek

In Canada, two pro-life jailbirds have been awarded Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medals.

It is hard to drink Champagne in handcuffs. However, this week at least two Canadians are going to try. Linda Gibbons and Mary Wagner recently received Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medals. Each member of Parliament has the opportunity to nominate 30 people and Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott nominated these two, among others. Read more…

by Monique David

Canadian Francophone media close minds on the subject of the unborn child.

Francophone Canada has always been, let’s say, a little “different” compared with the anglo majority, but, as someone of French extraction living in Montreal, I strive for a balanced view of the nation. My morning routine includes an attentive perusal of four newspapers: the National Post, the Globe, and the Quebec papers La Presse and Le Devoir. It is always interesting – and sometimes fascinating – to witness the differing perspectives. Read more…

by Margaret Somerville

A new page in Canada’s abortion debate will force pro-choice politicians to decide just how non-negotiable their position is.

Watch the video.

The latest parliamentary effort to address Canada’s total lack of restrictions of abortion came to an end last week when a motion which proposed setting up an all-party Parliamentary committee to discuss when an unborn child becomes a human being was voted down, 203 votes against, 91 for. Read more…