By Gudrun Schultz
TORONTO, Ontario, March 3, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The National Post published an editorial yesterday saying Prime Minister Stephen Harper should address the issue of Canada’s abortion policy.
Mr. Harper told Macleans this week that he has “no intention of getting into the abortion issue.” In an interview during his election campaign he declined to discuss the issue, saying his position on abortion was “complex” and that he didn’t fall into “any of the neat polar extremes” on the issue.
Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, writing for the Post, said PM Harper’s refusal to open up the question of abortion minimizes an issue that the majority of Canadians care strongly about.
“It is implausible that his views on abortion are so “complex” as to be beyond explanation,” Fr. de Souza wrote. “More likely, he means by “complex” that he belongs to the 52% of Canadians who, polls tell us, want “some restrictions.” It is also likely that he finds the whole subject too controversial and distasteful. But a prime ministerial weak stomach is not an excuse for bad public policy.”
Fr. de Souza applauded the Calgary Herald for taking a stand, in an editorial last week, against Canada’s unrestricted abortion laws. The Herald said Canada stands alone among western nations in failing to place any limits on abortion access, and said it was time new laws were put in place to offer some protection to the unborn.
The prominent Canadian priest columnist also pointed out the media’s role in shutting down debate on abortion by labeling abortion opponents as “intolerably extreme.”
“I support policies that would ensure that all Canadians, including those unborn, are protected in law and welcomed in life. In a democracy, we are entitled to have arguments about that, but heretofore that position has been declared as intolerably extreme—while the opposite extreme has been declared moderate. That’s not a debate; it’s a ruthlessly effective propaganda exercise.”
“The media has been largely responsible for this classification, and the move of the Herald toward moderation and balance is welcome indeed. Other major newspapers should follow suit, not only for the cause of life, but for the health of our democracy, in which public policy debates should actually mirror the actual shape of public opinion.”
Mr. Harper’s failure to address the issue is “de facto support” for continuing open access to abortion, Fr. de Souza said.
“[Mr. Harper’s] position on abortion invites only two conclusions, neither of them flattering. Either he supports abortion on demand, but thinks there is political gain in dissembling; or he simply thinks the whole matter not important enough to do something about. The latter conclusion should offend both sides of the abortion debate.”
To read the full National Post editorial:
https://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/editorialsletters/story.html?id=85b694e7-5fa6-4960-8d4d-5d5290756131
To read LifeSiteNews coverage of the Calgary Herald’s editorial:
Calgary Herald: It’s Time for Canada to Place Gestational Limits on Abortion
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/feb/06022801.html