Two Conservative candidates running in the federal election in Winnipeg ridings are getting support from a Manitoba anti-abortion group — but neither is talking about it.

The Campaign Life Coalition has endorsed Rod Bruinooge, who is seeking re-election in Winnipeg South, and Trevor Kennerd in Winnipeg South Centre.

Coalition president Maria Slykerman has nothing but praise for Bruinooge, saying the incumbent candidate has been outspoken in the past about his beliefs concerning the rights of the fetus.

'It's actually the most important issue, because if you don't have life, you don't have anything.'—Maria Slykerman

"He's not afraid of anybody, and that's what I like about it," she said. "He has backbone. He's not scared of anybody."

Slykerman is also excited about Trevor Kennerd, although she admits she's unsure whether he is committed to the group's cause, or just wants the support of its members.

"I think he is pro-life. He hasn't proven it yet," she said. "He has pro-life indications."

'Most important issue'

Slykerman said she is "optimistic" that Kennerd would take an anti-abortion stance in Parliament if elected — something she believes he has a fair chance of doing in the riding, long held by Liberal incumbent Anita Neville.

"But this is the first time that this is happening, that somebody that people like … because he's a football player and he's a family man … that he will take it on, just like Rod Bruinooge."

Many of her group's 3,000 members are volunteering for candidates, Slykerman said.

"What I want to happen is for MPs to get a backbone and stand up for the unborn so we can start doing something," she said.

"It's actually the most important issue, because if you don't have life, you don't have anything."

Neither Bruinooge or Kennerd returned calls from CBC News.

Endorsements a 'difficult balancing act'

Jared Wesley, a political scientist at the University of Manitoba, said the candidates' silence on the matter is not surprising.

Endorsements from groups with controversial causes are difficult for candidates to deal with, especially those in swing ridings like Winnipeg South and Winnipeg South Centre, he said.

'If you are pro-life or pro-choice, either way, you should make your intentions clear.'—Shannon Sampert

"Do you accept an endorsement wholeheartedly or at least tacitly, or do you reject the endorsement but try to accept the support? That's a very, very difficult balancing act," he said.

"I think if you're a candidate you're hoping that you get the endorsement and you get the resources enough to push you over the top, but that that endorsement doesn't become so public that it pushes moderate voters out of your camp," he said.

'Make your intentions clear'

Shannon Sampert, who teaches political science at the University of Winnipeg, said silence is not acceptable: "If you are pro-life or pro-choice, either way, you should make your intentions clear."

The Campaign Life Coalition's endorsement could lead some women to worry about the Tories' commitment to women's rights, she said.

"Women increasingly are worried about the Unborn Child Act that they were considering — if [Conservative Leader Stephen Harper] gets in as a majority government, I think women within the community in Winnipeg and in Canada in general will be very afraid of what's going to happen to these rights that we fought so hard for."

The Unborn Victims of Crime Act, which was introduced by Conservative backbencher Ken Epp last year, called for the slaying of a fetus to be considered a separate offence from the slaying of a pregnant woman.

In August, the federal justice minister said new legislation will allow judges consider a victim's pregnancy when determining a sentence for a violent offender.

Pro-choice advocates have expressed concern that any laws that take into account fetuses victimized by violent crime could reopen the debate over abortion.

Canada is one of a small number of countries without a law restricting abortion. An abortion is now treated like any other medical procedure and is governed by provincial and medical regulations.