Today, we discuss the issue the Prime Minister doesn't want to talk about, promises not to bring up and prefers to step away from. So how come his caucus colleagues keep mentioning the A word?

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Three of The Current

Abortion and Conservative Caucus

You didn't have to be paying close attention during the past several years to know the Prime Minister does not want to reopen the abortion debate. Stephen Harper said so during the election in 2006.

The Conservative government will not be bringing forward, will not be supporting and will not be debating the abortion laws in this country.

He sounded a little exasperated when he repeated it in 2008.

Look I have been clear throughout my entire political career, I don't intend to open the abortion issue, I haven't in the past; I'm not going to in the future. And I simply have no intention of ever making the abortion question a focus of my political career.

Then he made it clear to Peter Mansbridge before the last election

PM: And would you re-open the abortion debate.

SH: No, non, Peter I've spent my political career trying to stay out of that issue, you know it's one on which people including in my own party have passionate views that are all over the map. And you know, what I say to people, as you know, many people I know are pro-life, what I say to people, if you want to diminish the number of abortions you've gotta change hearts and not laws.

And for people who didn't catch that program.

I think I've been very clear as party leader I think I've been clear as prime minister, and I think our government has been clear, notwithstanding people who may feel differently ... As long as I am prime minister we are not re-opening the abortion debate. Government will not bring forward any such legislation and any such legislation that is brought forward will be defeated as long as I am prime minister.

But some members of his caucus apparently think there's still a little wiggle room. Conservative backbencher Stephen Woodworth held a news conference last week, calling for a debate on when human life begins. The Prime Minister was in China, but the Justice minister issued a terse statement:

The prime minister has been very clear our government will not reopen this debate.

Stephen Woodworth joined us from Ottawa.

Well, Mr. Woodworth is the latest, but not the first to challenge Stephen Harper's desire to avoid a debate on abortion. Last September, the Conservatives announced they would continue funding for Planned Parenthood International. That angered Saskatchewan MP Brad Trost. He complained that the Prime Minister's Office only responds to pro-life issues and concerns when we take an aggressive stance. And shortly after writing that, he had this to say.

By funding this (Planned Parenthood), the abortion debate has been opened in Canada.  He said. I don't think the government takes an actively left-wing position (on abortion) but the government has taken an apathetic position toward it, and I don't feel that that's appropriate. I feel it's a civil rights, a human-rights issues that needs to be addressed.

Brad Trost was in our Ottawa studio.

Well the rise of a small number of dissident voices in conservative ranks raises interesting questions about this prime minister's grip on his caucus. To help answer them we were joined by a long time observer of the Harper conservatives. Tonda MacCharles is a parliamentary reporter for the Toronto Star. She was in Ottawa.

This half-hour was produced by the Ottawa Network producer, Neil Morrison.

Related Links:

• Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth more than just an anti-abortion crusader By: Kathryn Blaze Carlson - National Post
• Conservative MP wants to know when life begins By: Laura Payton - CBC News
• The Conservative government has been apathetic about abortion and should be more moderate, Conservative MP Brad Trost says By: Laura Payton - CBC News
• Conservative MP Brad Trost says fellow backbenchers too often toe the party line By: Richard J. Brennan - Toronto Star

Last Word - Atlantic Blue by Valdi

We've been talking today about the 30th anniversary of the Ocean Ranger catastrophe. The Last Word today goes to Valdy, singing Atlantic Blue -- Ron Hynes' tribute to the Ocean Ranger.

Other segments from today's show:

• Cyber Surveillance Bill
• Abortion and Conservative Caucus