Monday May 15, 2006
Canadian National March for Life 2006 - 5,700 Take Part - Next Year's Goal is10,000
OTTAWA, May 15, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Nearly six thousand people from across Canada took part in the annual March for Life in the national capital Thursday. The perfect weather, a warm day with cloud cover to keep the burning sun at bay, was very much appreciated by the upbeat crowd made up mostly of youth, thousands of whom arrived on buses from high schools in Ontario.
Campaign Life Coalition President Jim Hughes told LifeSiteNews.com that he was invigorated by the youth presence. "It was excellent," he said, "It recharged my batteries seeing all those happy, upbeat young people there. It was wonderful to be around them since they can see there'll be a change in their lifetime."
At the dinner, former Liberal MP Pat O'Brien was awarded the Joseph P. Borowski award for his heroism in battling in Parliament for life and family.
Beginning with a candle-light prayer vigil Wednesday, the March for Life and its associated events included the Rose Dinner and Youth Conference the following day.
The Rose Dinner was completely sold out and over 900 participants were treated to an address by Priests for Life President Fr. Frank Pavone, which left many pro-life leaders in awe. Reflecting on Fr. Pavone's address, Aidan Reid, National Affairs Director for Campaign Life told LifeSiteNews.com it was, "the most incredible talk I've ever heard."
The Youth Conference which took place Friday was also completely booked. Hughes said the youth were very enthusiastic hearing from LifeSiteNews.com editor John-Henry Westen, UN lobbyist Sam Singson, and Conservative Member of Parliament Pierre Lemieux, among others.
Hughes told LifeSiteNews.com that while he has never done so before, the very positive experience of this year's March has led him to set a goal of 10,000 participants for next year's March for Life.
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