Download Flash Player to view this content.

The Current | Jan 28, 2013 | 24:00

Historical Morgentaler decision marks 25th anniversary

It was 25 years ago today that the Supreme Court of Canada handed down the landmark ruling that decriminalized abortion and set a precedent for other medical social issues confronting us today. The Morgentaler decision, as it is known, resulted in what is an absence of an abortion law in Canada. But that wasn't the plan when the then-Mulroney government first reacted to 5-2 decision of the highest court. Today, we hear from former Tory Justice Minister Doug Lewis on the backroom and parliamentary efforts that followed the decision.

Now Playing on CBC Radio Help Refresh

CBC Radio One

Listen Live Ottawa change

Now Playing:

The Current08:30 AM to 10:00 AM - EDT

CBC Radio 2

Listen Live Eastern change

Now Playing:

Tempo09:00 AM to 01:00 PM - EDT

CBC Radio 3

Listen Live Radio 3

Now Playing:

Program information temporarily unavailable.
See what is playing on all streams > Check out the brand new CBC Music service with 40 online radio stations.

1 of 34

Sort by:
Featured
Most Recent
Most Popular
The Current - The Politics of Virus HuntingMay 23, 2013 | 22:00The Current The Politics of Virus Hunting Audio
The Current The Politics of Virus Hunting May 23, 2013 | 22:00This is a story about the new strain of coronavirus and the virus as a commodity where those seeking to find a treatment or vaccine can find themselves navigating political and commercial interests. Today, we look at the politics of potential pandemics.
The Current - Politics in the ClassroomMay 23, 2013 | 23:59The Current Politics in the Classroom Audio
The Current Politics in the Classroom May 23, 2013 | 23:59A quote from Dr. Suess' Yertle the Turtle was considered too political for one BC school district and there's now a court case. Today, we're asking about politics in the classroom and the line between free expression and pushing a cause.
The Current - Checking-In: Listener ResponseMay 23, 2013 | 25:25The Current Checking-In: Listener Response Audio
The Current Checking-In: Listener Response May 23, 2013 | 25:25Debunking dreams of Mars and Bunking with your kids. Our listener's thoughts on some of the stories of the week. And Houston, we have a prophet. Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin joins us with his thoughts for the future of space.
The Current - A call for accountability: PM Harper’s caucus speechMay 22, 2013 | 22:00The Current A call for accountability: PM Harper’s caucus speech Audio
The Current A call for accountability: PM Harper’s caucus speech May 22, 2013 | 22:00Seven years ago, Stephen Harper pledged new legislation would usher in transparency in govt. Yesterday he said to his caucus, Canada has one of the most accountable and transparent systems of governance in the world. Today, we examine the PM’s statements.
The Current - Director James Cameron on deep-sea explorationMay 22, 2013 | 24:00The Current Director James Cameron on deep-sea exploration Audio
The Current Director James Cameron on deep-sea exploration May 22, 2013 | 24:00He's taken us to alien colonies, to a robot dominated future and to doom on the Titanic. Film director and explorer James Cameron takes us along a real-life voyage to an alien world that also involves robots. Today, we voyage to the bottom of the sea.
The Current - The Body Economic: Why Austerity KillsMay 22, 2013 | 27:29The Current The Body Economic: Why Austerity Kills Audio
The Current The Body Economic: Why Austerity Kills May 22, 2013 | 27:29A statistical study using data from the Great Depression of the 30s, to post-communist Russia, to austerity in Greece suggests there is a measurable human cost to severe govt cutbacks. Today, our guests explain the politics of life and death.
The Current - The morning after the Oklahoma tornadoMay 21, 2013 | 21:18The Current The morning after the Oklahoma tornado Audio
The Current The morning after the Oklahoma tornado May 21, 2013 | 21:18The people of Moore, Oklahoma listened to weather forecasters in a way few others do. But even warnings faster than usual were little defence against the massive funnel cloud that roared through the city yesterday, eliminating entire neighbourhoods.
The Current - Crowdfunding for the alleged Rob Ford crack-cocaine videoMay 21, 2013 | 23:59The Current Crowdfunding for the alleged Rob Ford crack-cocaine video Audio
The Current Crowdfunding for the alleged Rob Ford crack-cocaine video May 21, 2013 | 23:59In a video The Toronto Star and Gawker have both viewed, allegedly showing Mayor Rob Ford smoking a crack pipe, crowdfunding has raised tens-of-thousands dollars to buy the video presumably from the dealers. Today questions of accountability on all sides.
The Current - How to use a barcode for a boycottMay 21, 2013 | 27:29The Current How to use a barcode for a boycott Audio
The Current How to use a barcode for a boycott May 21, 2013 | 27:29Just wave a mobile device over a product's tiny barcode and reveal a vast corporate web -- and perhaps a lot more than the manufacturer would prefer to reveal. We look at what consumers can do with the Buycott application.
The Current - PM's chief of staff Nigel Wright resignsMay 20, 2013 | 21:52The Current PM's chief of staff Nigel Wright resigns Audio
The Current PM's chief of staff Nigel Wright resigns May 20, 2013 | 21:52It's been a busy Victoria Day long weekend for the movers and shakers on Parliament Hill. After a week of political turmoil, the Prime Minister's chief of staff Nigel Wright has resigned.
The Current - Outside with Sarah Harmer: A hike through Rouge ParkMay 20, 2013 | 22:36The Current Outside with Sarah Harmer: A hike through Rouge Park Audio
The Current Outside with Sarah Harmer: A hike through Rouge Park May 20, 2013 | 22:36Guest host Sarah Harmer takes us on a walk through Canada's first urban national park. Rouge Park is 60 square kilometres of wilderness and parklands, surrounded by the Greater Toronto Area.
The Current - Outside with Sarah Harmer: Mixing music and social justiceMay 20, 2013 | 22:33The Current Outside with Sarah Harmer: Mixing music and social justice Audio
The Current Outside with Sarah Harmer: Mixing music and social justice May 20, 2013 | 22:33Guest host Sarah Harmer speaks to Bruce Cockburn and Nathan Lawr, frontman of the Canadian band the Minotaurs, about social justice and music.
The Current - Duffy-Gate: Senate ScandalMay 17, 2013 | 22:00The Current Duffy-Gate: Senate Scandal Audio
The Current Duffy-Gate: Senate Scandal May 17, 2013 | 22:00With Mike Duffy’s spending and borrowing habits under scrutiny, he quit the conservative party to sit as an independent. We hear about the potential damage of “Duffy-Gate” to the govt and why the Senator is considered so valuable to the Conservatives.
The Current - Why thousands of people want a one-way trip to MarsMay 17, 2013 | 24:00The Current Why thousands of people want a one-way trip to Mars Audio
The Current Why thousands of people want a one-way trip to Mars May 17, 2013 | 24:00From the Red Chamber to the Red Planet, we find out why so many people want to be part of a one-way mission to Mars. And we hear why one astronaut believes the colonists' hopes to spend their final days on Mars are most likely to be buried on earth.
The Current - Can the DSM survive the barrage of criticism?May 17, 2013 | 24:23The Current Can the DSM survive the barrage of criticism? Audio
The Current Can the DSM survive the barrage of criticism? May 17, 2013 | 24:23Are temper tantrums and grief eating psychiatric conditions? According to some psychiatrists, the latest version of their diagnostic manual seems to suggest they are. And that's one of the reasons some believe the DSM has got to go.

1 of 34