War on abortion in the U.S. has gotten absurd

War on abortion in the U.S. has gotten absurd
Anti-abortionists claim to be "pro-life," while defending Donald Trump's attacks on the poor, women, immigrants and those with physical and mental challenges

by Michael Coren
January 24, 2020

Donald Trump attended the March for Life on Friday, January 24. The annual gathering of anti-abortion activists in Washington DC included a generous collection of Canadian supporters.

This is the first time a sitting president has attended in person. That the president’s attendance took place in the middle of Senate impeachment trial proceedings against him has only increased his popularity with the anti-abortion movement.

Continued: https://nowtoronto.com/news/donald-trump-march-for-life-abortion/


Canada – Candidates’ views on conversion therapy, abortion raise questions about Scheer’s promise to leave social issues alone

Daphne Bramham: Candidates' views on conversion therapy, abortion raise questions about Scheer's promise to leave social issues alone

Opinion: Burnaby Tory candidate Heather Leung believes therapy can cure gays and that abortion should never be an option even in cases of rape and incest. She and other anti-abortion candidates make it tough to believe Andrew Scheer's promise that the issues wouldn't be revisited if Conservatives form government.

Daphne Bramham
Updated: October 3, 2019

For a leader who insists that his party won’t reopen debate on same-sex marriage, abortion and medically assisted dying, Conservative Andrew Scheer doesn’t make it easy for people to believe him.

His own unblemished voting record of opposing same-sex marriage and abortion is a stumbling block. So is his promise to allow members of Parliament to speak freely and potentially introduce private members’ bills on these issues.

Continued: https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/daphne-bramham-candidates-views-on-conversion-therapy-abortion-raise-questions-about-scheers-promise-to-leave-social-issues-alone


Canada – Scheer says he is personally ‘pro-life,’ but would not reopen abortion debate

Scheer says he is personally 'pro-life,' but would not reopen abortion debate

Joanna Smith, The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, October 3, 2019

OTTAWA - Andrew Scheer says he is personally against abortion, but promised a Conservative government under his leadership would not reopen the debate.

His political rivals pushed the Conservative leader to clarify his stance on abortion at the French-language debate hosted by private television network TVA on Wednesday night, demanding to know whether he is personally in favour of women having the right to choose.

Scheer didn't answer the question about his personal views on stage, and he has evaded such questions since before the election campaign began.

Continued: https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/scheer-says-he-is-personally-pro-life-but-would-not-reopen-abortion-debate-1.4622423


Abortion in Canada: The election debates, the law and the reality

Abortion in Canada: The election debates, the law and the reality
October 3, 2019

Martha Paynter, PhD Candidate in Nursing, Dalhousie University

This federal election season, abortion is undeniably a campaign issue, with media coverage routinely suggesting abortion rights are tenuous or up for debate.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has declared that he is “personally pro-life,” while insisting that his cabinet will not “reopen the issue.” This does, however, leave the door open for individual MPs to put forward anti-abortion private member bills.

Continued: https://theconversation.com/abortion-in-canada-the-election-debates-the-law-and-the-reality-123904


Canada – Abortion is constitutional right and, unfortunately, an election issue

Abortion is constitutional right and, unfortunately, an election issue

Jennifer Taylor argues Canadians can’t trust the Tory leader on his promise to avert the anti-abortion movement
Abortion is constitutional right and, unfortunately, an election issue

By Jennifer Taylor
OPINION 23 Sep 2019

It’s been 50 years since abortion was partly decriminalized in Canada, and 31 years since R v Morgentaler, the Supreme Court of Canada decision that struck down the remaining Criminal Code restrictions. Surely, in 2019, Canadians have accepted that there is a constitutional right to abortion access in this country, and abortion is a publicly funded health care service – not a subject for debate. We’ve moved on. Right?

Unfortunately, not.

Continued: https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion/abortion-is-constitutional-right-and-unfortunately-an-election-issue/304370


Leader of Canada’s opposition party distances self from anti-abortion comment

Leader of Canada's opposition party distances self from anti-abortion comment

September 12, 2019
David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The leader of Canada’s main opposition Conservative Party on Thursday distanced himself from comments by a candidate opposing abortion, which could hurt his chances with women voters in an Oct. 21 election.

Andrew Scheer, trying to defeat Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, insisted he had no plans to reopen the abortion debate if he won the election.

Continued: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-election-scheer/leader-of-canadas-opposition-party-distances-self-from-anti-abortion-comment-idUSKCN1VX231


Why social issues are a hot topic in Canada’s autumn election

Why social issues are a hot topic in Canada's autumn election
Social issues like gay marriage and abortion have taken centre stage in the lead up to Canada's autumn election, as the Liberal Party tries to convince voters that the Conservatives want to backtrack on LGBTQ and abortion rights.

30 August 2019

Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has fired an early salvo against Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer, and his past record on gay marriage and abortion.

But whether it will wound his primary opponent remains to be seen.

Continued : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49528267


Canada’s marginal ‘Christian right’

Canada’s marginal ‘Christian right’

August 11, 2019
Jonathan Malloy

The political power of the American Christian right naturally leads to interest and speculation about the influence of similar groups in Canada. But social conservatives and evangelical Christians are a marginal force in Canadian politics, even in the Conservative party. And research finds their dynamics here are quite different than in the United States.

Is there a Canadian Christian right at all? Yes and no.

Continued: https://theconversation.com/canadas-marginal-christian-right-121024


Pro-choice billboard to counter signs by anti-choice organization in Cape Breton

Pro-choice billboard to counter signs by anti-choice organization in Cape Breton

Erin Pottie
July 31, 2019

For years, anti-abortion signs along Cape Breton’s roadways have asked motorists to ‘protect life’ and live with ‘no regrets.’

But now a grassroots group is now planning to create its own billboard with a much different message.

Continued: https://www.capebretonpost.com/news/local/pro-choice-billboard-to-counter-signs-by-anti-choice-organization-in-cape-breton-338887/


Canada – Calling out Andrew Scheer’s religious extremism

Calling out Andrew Scheer's religious extremism
With an election on the way it needs to be asked whether the man who wants to be prime minister really does believe that LGBTQ people are disordered and immoral

by Michael Coren
June 30, 2019

Once again Andrew Scheer, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the man who wants to be the country’s next prime minister, has refused to participate in Toronto's annual Pride parade. It’s the third year in a row that Scheer has declined.

At a time when homophobic violence and abuse has seen a tragic upturn in the west (including Canada) – and when homosexuality is still considered a crime punishable by imprisonment or even execution in numerous countries – the reasons Scheer has offered for his absence have varied. But none have been credible.

Continued: https://nowtoronto.com/news/andrew-scheer-pride-religion/