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CLC Press Release – November 28, 2000

With the federal election results finally tallied, the representation of pro-life MPs remains largely the same as before the election, according to Campaign Life Coalition President Jim Hughes. “While the distribution of seats for the parties and for pro-lifers within each party is roughly the same as last time,” said Hughes, “the lessons of the campaign should send a clear message to the party leaders from the millions of pro-life voters who cast ballots yesterday.”“Pro-lifers want Stockwell Day and Prime Minister Chretien to debate the abortion issue,” said Hughes, “and have the debate where the Supreme Court has repeatedly said it belongs: in parliament.”

Mr. Hughes added the Canadian Alliance must also face the abortion issue squarely. “This election showed that the referendum approach to crucial issues like abortion just won’t fly in Ontario. Ontarians – and all Canadians – want to know where the parties and the candidates stand, pure and simple, and they want leaders who have the courage of their convictions.

To the Prime Minister, Hughes pointed out that recent polls indicate that, even after almost thirteen years of legislative limbo on the issue with no abortion law, a majority of Canadians still support a law to protect the unborn at some point in the first nine months. “The Prime Minister is wrong to suggest there is a right to abortion: there is no such right. The Prime Minister is wrong to refuse to allow an open, free and democratic debate on this issue in Parliament,” says Hughes.

Hughes concluded that parliament remains the best institution to debate the important issues of the day, not through national referendum and certainly not through the courts. “Parliament has an obligation to debate this issue until there is a law to protect the unborn.”