News & Analysis

Once again this year, the National March for Life in Ottawa was a resounding success. A crowd of more than 22,000 pro-lifers descended on Parliament Hill, asking our federal lawmakers to end the killing, whether it’s being done by abortion or euthanasia. The protest Marches however, were not  contained to the nation’s capital. Thousands of enthusiastic supporters took to the streets in provinces across Canada, standing up for the sanctity of life.

FROM COAST TO COAST

Alberta - May 12, 2016

Organizers say 1,800 – 2,000 people marched peacefully from Sir Winston Churchill square in Edmonton, AB, to the steps of the Legislature building. The theme of Alberta’s March this year was: NO Tax Money for Abortions!

Gregory Amerongen, a board member with the Alberta March for Life Association, said he expects the number of marchers to grow in the years to come.

“This year we observed a significant number of children and youth who attended, not only from Edmonton, but entire busloads of children from all corners of the province attended,” Amerongen said.

“The youth, as you know, are the future of pro-life. They are very positive and enthusiastic; and rightly they should be, because it's their friends, siblings, and cousins whose lives are being terminated.”

Despite the lack of coverage from local media, organizers, and their partners, were able to produce this inspiring video. It’s definitely worth a watch to see all the pro-lifers walking through the streets of one of Canada’s great cities.

British Columbia - May 12, 2016

There was also a fantastic turnout in Victoria, B.C., where organizers say more than 2,000 people attended the annual March for Life event.

Speakers in front of the provincial legislature included supporters of “Cassie and Molly’s Law”, otherwise known as Bill C-225 (a proposed private members bill in Parliament that would make it a separate offence for someone to kill a baby while attacking a woman they know is pregnant).

And, just like at the National March for Life in Ottawa, there were also speakers delivering powerful messages against Bill C-14, the bill that seeks to legalize euthanasia and assisted-suicide here in Canada and turn doctors into killers.

Pro-Lifers wouldn’t be outdone in Atlantic Canada. There were marches in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

New Brunswick - May 19, 2016

A week after the National March For Life, New Brunswickers held their own provincial March, where organizers say about 400 people turned out. The theme for this year’s New Brunswick March For Life was, “The truth that endures: The sanctity of ALL human life.” 

Ten opposition members of the legislature, all of whom were Progressive Conservative Party members, were on hand as well. MLA Jody Carr expressed solidarity with those gathered, while colleague Glenn Savoie called for a legislative debate on the issue and evoked the old adage, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” 

Euthanasia and assisted-suicide were central themes in Fredericton as pro-lifers were greeted by the province’s Health Minister Victor Boudreau, whose comments on the impending legislation were not very reassuring to pro-lifers, and really offered no plan at all to resist the federal government legislation. Boudreau promised that PEI would provide "good palliative care for the dying," but did not breath a whisper about invoking the notwithstanding clause which would enable PEI to ignore the Supreme Court's pro-euthanasia ruling, and thus, keep this form of homicide illegal.

The impending legalization of euthanasia was also addressed by the keynote speaker, New Brunswick’s former lieutenant-governor Graydon Nicholas, who spoke out strongly in favour of protecting life, despite the juggernaut of pro-death forces at work in Parliament.

“There’s no way you can sugar-coat suicide and euthanasia,” he said. “It’s deliberate death. We need to stand up for life, for the culture of life, as opposed to the culture of death.”

Nova Scotia - May 12, 2016

In Halifax, a dedicated crowd of around 150 people witnessed to the sanctity of human life, with their own local march. First, they gathered for Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica. From there, they walked en masse in a procession to the provincial legislature. This year, organizers say they weren’t barred from the steps of the building like they were two years ago.

Around three dozen people were out the night before for a candlelight vigil outside Victoria General Hospital in Halifax. That's where organizers say more than 1,100 babies are aborted every year.

Newfoundland and Labrador - May 18, 2016

Pro-lifers gathered on the steps of the Confederation Building on May 18. Organizers tied this year’s March to the unpopular budget that was recently put forward by the province.

“We took the opportunity to point out many abortions are committed for personal convenience and personal finances which, of course, are affected by government,” said Patrick Hanlon, spokesperson for Pro-Life NL. “We also suggested that in order to save tax dollars, the government should regulate and defund abortion, especially at private for profit facilities."

KEEP MARCHING

We’d like to thank all the pro-lifers, right across Canada, who supported the various marches this year. Whether it was with your signs, your enthusiasm, or even just your prayers, the fight to protect the sanctity of all life marches on. And we can’t do it without you.

The efforts don’t come without a cost, however, so please consider making a donation to help Campaign Life Coalition continue the charge.