January 31st, 2014

The Ministry of Health is considering a controversial "abortion pill" called Mifepristone (also known as RU-486). If legalized in Canada this pill would be available by prescription and would terminate pregnancies up to 9 weeks.

We are adamantly opposed to the introduction of the RU-486 to Canada and ask that you would join us in asking the Minister of Health, Rona Ambrose, not to approve it.

Other than the reality that the pill terminates a human life in gestation, another reason for safeguarding Canadian women against it is that the side effects are not fully known. "... Mary Ellen Douglas, national organizer for the anti-abortion Campaign Life Coalition, says she's concerned about the drug's side effects. She pointed to a handful of reports of fatal sepsis" (quoted from CBC article below). This means that there is concern that the drug has actually contributed to fatalities in pregnant women. This is debatable, but the concern is there none the less.

Please join us in opposing this drug's entrance into Canada.

Resisting the RU-486 will be a major emphasis at this year's March for Life (May 8th, 2014). We encourage you to attend this year's March for Life. Click here to get more information.

ACTION POINTS:

1- Please e-mail and/or call Minister Ambrose's office and ask her NOT to approve the RU-486.

Phone: 613-996-9778
E-mail: rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca

2 - Please pass this information on and share it with your prayer groups.

3 - Please join us in praying that this drug will not be approved in Canada.

OTHER ARTICLES:

CBC Article - Abortion debate may return as Health Canada weighs RU-486 approval

Health Canada Considers Controversial Abortion Pill

FROM THE DESK OF JOY SMITH:

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to forward you the following statement made today [January 29th, 2014] by the Minister of Justice regarding prostitution laws. Over the past few days, prosecutors across Canada have expressed uncertainty about bringing forward cases involving the prostitution offences ruled on by the Supreme Court last December. This uncertainty makes it challenging for police to target pimps and johns who exploit women and youth. Our government has reaffirmed its commitment protecting women and vulnerable individuals from exploitation and expects prosecutors and police to continue to uses the laws available.

Sincerely,

Joy Smith, MP
Kildonan – St. Paul

STATEMENT BY THE HON. PETER MACKAY

"While the administration of justice is a matter of provincial jurisdiction, Canadians expect criminal laws in this country to be properly enforced so long as they remain in force. The Supreme Court of Canada made very clear in its decision that the current laws with respect to prostitution were to remain in force for twelve months. This gives Parliament the chance to respond.

Our Government believes that prostitution is harmful to vulnerable individuals, particularly women. We are currently reviewing a range of options to address the harms that flow from prostitution to communities. But make no mistake: doing nothing is not an option. Our Government will be taking action to maintain the safety of our streets and communities.”

Hon. Peter MacKay
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

ACTION POINT:

Please join us in thanking Minister MacKay for his statement and let him know you would be in support of laws prohibiting prostitution in Canada.

Minister MacKay's Contact Information:

E-mail: peter.mackay@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-992-6022

Maurice Vellacott, MP
Saskatoon-Wanuskewin

MP Maurice Vellacott gives notice of motion on Democratic Restoration of Private Members’ Business

For Immediate Release
January 27, 2014

OTTAWA – MP Maurice Vellacott gave notice today of a Private Member’s Motion that would reform the way Private Members Business is conducted. The motion will be on the Notice Paper tonight.

The motion would fix a current vulnerability in the system that has led to a situation where a small group of MPs are able to control, often from behind closed doors, what issues are and are not allowed to be voted on in the House of Commons.

“Private Members’ Business is one of the few mechanisms a backbench MP has to speak out on issues of the day that are of deep concern to them and thousands of Canadians” said Vellacott. “Yet a handful of MPs who, for whatever reasons, don’t want an issue to come to a vote, actually have the power to prevent their colleagues in the House from voting on that issue” Vellacott said, “--even if a majority of Canadians want that issue to be voted on! That kind of a muzzling is a blight on democracy!”

“The motion I am proposing is a bulwark against arbitrary and capricious decision-making when it comes to Private Members Business. Were this motion to pass, decisions on the votability of private members’ bills and motions would be made in a fair and objective fashion, free from any sort of political interference or shenanigans. It will be an important step forward on the road to restoring Canadians’ trust and confidence in our political institutions.”

Vellacott concluded: “This motion will help prevent the erosion of democracy and transparency in Parliament. It will help to restore respect for the rights of individual MPs from all parties to represent Canadians on significant issues. And it will help to restore our freedom to stand up and be counted.”

MOTION QUICK LINKS:

Backgrounder on Motion 409

Summary of Motion 409

Text of Motion 409

ACTION POINTS:

1 - Please e-mail, or phone, your MP and ask them to support this motion. To get your MPs's contact information by postal code please click here.

2 - Please keep this motion in prayer. Let's believe for it's success.

The team's latest personal newsletter is now on-line. Please click here to read. A special thanks to all our supporters and monthly partners who make the ongoing work of this movement possible.