Dozens of women MPs and female members of the parliamentary press gallery attended the home of opposition leader Stephane Dion and his wife Janine Krieber last night in Ottawa.

The purpose of the gathering was to celebrate International Women's Day. Guests snacked on sumptuous canapes, all featuring pink food such as lobster, salmon, scallops topped with rose-coloured tapioca as well as mini-burgers in tiny pink buns.

Stornoway was also filled with fresh bouquets of pink tulips, lilies, gerbera daisies and roses.

The jovial mood among guests changed though, as women MPs arrived at the residence after several votes in the House of Commons. All were disappointed in the result of the vote on a private members' bill to make it a crime to harm a fetus.

The bill, introduced by Conservative MP Ken Epp would change the Criminal Code to allow separate charges if a fetus is killed or injured when a pregnant woman is the victim of violence. The bill passed second reading last night with the help of more than 20 Liberals.

Many of the female MPs at the party said they were disappointed in their (mostly) male colleagues, saying they don't appreciate the bill could affect the legal status of abortions in Canada.

Dion registered his own disappointment. Standing next to the host of the party — his wife Janine, Dion started with a joke and thanked all of the women present for tolerating his presence at the party. He then apologized for the result of last night's vote, saying it would be something the party would address through hard work and upcoming committee hearings into the bill.

The Liberal party does not whip votes on private members' bills.

Some of the MPs present last night said the party should have ensured it had enough people on hand to defeat the bill. They also said few are looking forward to what they expect will be a very difficult and sensitive debate as the bill moves on to committee hearings.