Liberal women join to denounce Harper on abortion

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 8, 2004 | 9:35 PM ET

CBC News

Current and former Liberal activists for women's rights are mobilizing against Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, claiming he poses a threat to their cause.

Minister of State (Public Health) Carolyn Bennett, joined former Liberal cabinet ministers on Tuesday to denounce Harper over his stance on abortion and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

• INDEPTH: Abortion

Harper has repeatedly said he would not introduce abortion legislation or hold a referendum on the issue. But critics are upset that he would allow a free vote on the issue in the House of Commons.

Carolyn Bennett

"I think that a woman's right to choose in many many ways, the woman's ability to make decisions on her own body is a hard-fought battle," Bennett said. "We do not want to fight that again."

Judy Erola, who held the status of women portfolio under Pierre Trudeau, said she is troubled that Harper has not ruled out using the notwithstanding clause to override Charter rights.

"We are now talking about using the notwithstanding clause, talking about changing the Charter," Erola said.

Cheryl Gallant

"It can't be done. It would just unravel everything that we have gained."

Former Health Minister Monique Begin said she's also concerned about the agenda of the new Conservative Party.

"This is a party we do not really know exactly what it's made of and I find that extremely scary," he said.

Bishop Fred Henry (file)

The women are also concerned about a comment made by Tory MP Cheryl Gallant at a recent pro-life rally on Parliament Hill attended by some Liberal MPs.

At the rally several weeks ago, Gallant compared abortion to the beheading of American Nicolas Berg by insurgents in Iraq.

"We saw that young American having his head cut off. What's happening, what is happening down there no different," she said.

Harper dismissed Gallant's comment Monday as pro-life rhetoric. "I don't think it's particularly effective."

But Liberal Leader Paul Martin said Gallant's statement was "abhorrent" and Harper should have immediately spoken out against his MP.

"Mr. Harper saw no need to basically single that statement out, one that is absolutely unacceptable."

Gallant's comments at the rally were quoted in The Western Catholic Reporter, a magazine that also contained an article by Liberal MP Paul Steckle, co-chair of the all-party Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus.

Steckle, who also attended the rally, said that without the abortions performed over the last 35 years, Canada would have 3.5 million more people.

"So let's not go on killing those children who can become our future," he was quoted as saying.

Bishop chastises Martin

Martin received harsh words Tuesday from Calgary's Roman Catholic bishop who called the liberal leader's political stand on abortion and same-sex marriage as morally incoherent and a "source of scandal in the Catholic community.

In an open letter to his city's parishes, Bishop Fred Henry states that under God, "There is no right to have an abortion. . . . Nor is there a right of couples in same sex unions to marry. One cannot invent a meaning of sexuality to suit one's own wishes or tastes."

Last year Henry said former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's eternal salvation was in jeopardy for drafting the same-sex marriage bill.

A spokesperson for Martin replied to Henry's comments saying Martin takes his faith seriously but those beliefs are separate from his political duties.

Canada has been without an abortion law since 1988, when the Supreme Court struck it down because it infringed upon a woman's right to "life, liberty and security of person" and violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.