This is a big deal. In spite of the government's insistence not to re-open the abortion debate in Parliament, it looks as though it is now being ushered to the forefront through a motion being tabled by a young outspoken pro-choice NDP MP named Niki Ashton.
Last week Ms. Ashton from Churchill, MB, put forward a motion that "...seeks to have members of Parliament vote on whether access to abortion is a 'fundamental question of equality and human rights, both in Canada and around the world.'
It also calls on the government to make the promotion of gender equity and the support of reproductive health care priorities at May’s international summit on maternal and child health.
The motion also seeks to have the government 'lift its policy of refusing to fund international programs that support a full range of family planning and reproductive health care options including abortion.'" (ipolitics.ca / Click here to read full article.)
Our sources at Parliament have told us that there is a chance the motion could be debated prior to the summer recess if it is adopted by the NDP as an official opposition motion.
This motion provides a strong opportunity for Members of Parliament that disagree with Ms. Ashton's position to express their views in the House of Commons. In summary: this motion is "re-opening the abortion debate" on the floor of Parliament in a very tangible way.
All of this means that this is an INCREDIBLE opportunity to share with our leaders how we feel about this important issue. The renewed debate will mean our leaders have a renewed interest in what Canadians have to say on the issue.
Several groups have mobilized swiftly in the last few days to launch initiatives that give us easy ways we can be a voice at this time.
Please take a moment to do these action points. Thank you so much.
