Parliament is set to resume this month and a final vote on C-13, the government's reproductive and experimental technologies bill, could be held at any time.

In June, House leader Don Boudria told The Hill Times that C-13 was a priority piece of legislation for this government and that he wanted it passed before the parliamentary recess. Something happened. Our guess is that the government is not confident that it has the votes. Many backbench Liberals, most of the Canadian Alliance and several MPs in the Progressive Conservative caucus oppose C-13.

We have produced another CD ROM, one that illustrates what is wrong with C-13 and are currently distributing them to MPs. This has been a time-consuming exercise but we know that they will need all the information on this issue; it is a useful and important counter-argument to the half-truths some scientists have presented in promoting destructive embryonic stem cell research.

We need all of you to contact your MPs and urge them to defeat C-13. We have provided a list of those who have spoken out against the bill or voted for pro-life amendments; these MPs, too, should be contacted and congratulated for their courageous stance and urged to vote against the bill. If your MP is not on the list you must contact them and let them know that protection of innocent human life is an issue on which you cast your ballot at election time.

The government's plan to rubber stamp the judicial imposition of same-sex "marriage" still has a number of hurdles to face. Although Prime Minister Jean Chretien has made an impassioned plea on behalf of extending marriage rights to homosexuals to the Liberal caucus retreat in August, dozens of Liberal backbenchers have vowed to oppose the government on this issue. Supported by historical fact, religious teaching and millions of Canadians, many MPs are coming to the defense of traditional marriage, defined as one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. It is heartening to see our elected officials take such strong stands.

Religious leaders have come out against same-sex marriage. The Vatican released a document, Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons, that makes it clear that Catholics who serve in public office have a moral obligation to resist the adoption of policies that recognize same-sex unions. In recent weeks, numerous priests, pastors and other religious have spoken out against same-sex marriage from the pulpit. Also numerous evangelical leaders have requested that the Ontario government remove their names from the list of clergy who perform marriages. Rev. Ken Campbell said "In its precipitous (sic) imposition of the Godless and lawless ruling ... sanctioning same-sex 'marriage' ... the Ontario Government with the collusion of the Federal Government is pursuing a lawless trampling of the most basic principles of democracy to high-handedly force this Godless perversity as the law of the land."

There are quite a number of strategies being explored both in Parliament and across the country to defeat the same-sex "marriage" proposal. We support any peaceful endeavour to defeat this proposed legislation.

We encourage you to complete and return the petitions that were enclosed in the August CLC National News as soon as possible. We will forward them to the appropriate MPs to use in the most beneficial manner appropriate. Furthermore, we will work with MPs as they develop a legislative strategy on this issue. Some of the ideas include proposing various amendments to forcing the invocation of the notwithstanding clause.

Liberal MP Pat O'Brien (London Fanshawe) says the government should add to the questions it referred to the Supreme Court the following: Does the traditional definition of marriage respect the Charter of Rights? That would allow the Supreme Court to strike down the lower court rulings imposing same-sex "marriage." If the Court refused to do that, O'Brien said the government should use the notwithstanding clause of the constitution to put the ruling on hold for five years. Liberal MP Ray Bonin is suggesting amending the proposed legislation to reflect the 1999 House motion protecting the traditional definition of marriage which passed by an overwhelming margin. That would force many politicians who opposed altering the definition of marriage then but have changed their mind to explain why they have changed their minds.

Liberal MP Tom Wappel (Scarborough Southwest) has distributed a letter to opponents of same-sex marriage urging them to take a strong stand as voters, saying ultimately that it up to constituents to make their views known and ensure MPs represent the views of the majority of Canadians. His nine points include having every Canadian who wants the traditional understanding of marriage kept intact to:

1. Write your MP and let him or her know where you stand on this issue;
2. In that letter request that the MP states his or her own position on the issue. Do not let them get away with claims that the "courts have decided";
3. Continue to write and call your MP until you get an answer;
4. Communicate the answer (or non-answer) to as many people in your constituency as you can;
5. Insist to your MP that he or she stand and be counted and let them know that abstaining from the vote will not be acceptable. Inform them that how they vote on this legislation will determine how you vote in the next election;
6. When it comes to the next federal election, put aside usual partisan concerns and vote on life and family issues. In other words, "put you vote where you pen has been";
7. Communicate your views to clergy, family and friends, write letters to the editor, call radio call-in shows;
8. If your MP shares your view of the traditional definition of marriage, support him or her through prayer, notes of encouragement and during the campaign;
9. Encourage others to do the above eight items.

Doing these nine things will let MPs know that they cannot change the definition of marriage, a 2,000-year-old tradition, without suffering political consequences.

104 Bond St., Toronto, Ont., M5B 1X9. Also, do the nine things Tom Wappel urges all pro-family Canadians to do.

There are many MPs who have indicated they would support the idea of recognizing same-sex unions as an acceptable alternative to legalizing same-sex "marriage." There are serious problems with this line of thinking, many of which require more development that can be explored in this newsletter. However, let me put forward two clear reasons to oppose same-sex unions, one moral, one pragmatic.

First, the debate about legal recognition of same-sex relationships is about more than the word "marriage"; there can be no legal recognition of a relationship based on immoral activity. The compromise or alternative of a formal, legal registry of homosexual relationships concedes that such relationships are a morally valid lifestyle choice. This is simply untrue. Whether you call it a registered union or 'marriage,' such recognition is nothing less than a societal stamp of approval on such a relationship. We must not forget that the law is seen as a teacher. Our youth will become more disoriented and vulnerable than ever as the recognition of same-sex unions would seemingly give them a green light to engage in even more and riskier sexual activities.

Second, once you have conceded the legitimacy of such relationships by formally recognizing them, it will be impossible in the long term to deny "marriage" to same-sex couples. Gay activists will not be happy with the two-pronged approach to recognizing relationships - one for heterosexuals and one for homosexuals. Civil unions is hardly a even stop-gap measure. Marriage and the family lose either way. While many MPs are earnestly searching for a compromise, on some issues compromise is impossible. The legal recognition of same-sex relationships, whether using the word "marriage" or "union," is one such issue. Please let your elected officials know that legal civil unions for homosexuals is an unacceptable compromise.

With attention focused on same-sex unions, Svend Robinson and his willing allies in the Liberal government, are still working to get Bill C-250, passed. That bill adds "sexual orientation" to the specially protected classes of people under the hate crimes provision of the Criminal Code. It would also make opposition to the radical homosexual agenda a crime.

Recently, gay activists in Ireland threatened to go after the Vatican because of its statement on the legal recognition of homosexual relationships and said it was possible to do so under Ireland's Incitement to Hatred Act. If Svend Robinson's bill is passed - the third and final reading is scheduled for September 17 - it could prevent an honest and open debate about same-sex unions as gay activists could threaten MPs and pastors who defend traditional marriage.

Tom Wappel's suggestions for opposing the government's attempt to legalize same-sex marriage begins by warning that his action suggestions should be followed to first stop the imminent Bill C-250. In the current legal and social climate, if C-250 is passed, the courts and human rights tribunals will find that the rights of homosexuals not to be criticized at all will trump free speech and religious rights of Canadians.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada announced they have a new technique for detecting Down Syndrome and cystic fibrosis in early pregnancy. Unfortunately, the reality of such tests is that they become "search and destroy" missions that result in abortion because there is no cure to treat these children in utero (or after birth). Abortion is not treatment but that is all doctors are offering mothers carrying children who may have Down Syndrome or cystic fibrosis. Indeed, the whole reason for these tests is to make abortion easier.

Doug Wilson, Chairman of the genetics committee of the Society admits that such tests "might allow mothers to terminate Down syndrome pregnancies earlier in the term, before their pregnancy is obvious to everyone and when a termination is less invasive." But he denied that pre-natal diagnosis and resultant "terminations" were "search and destroy" missions.

What such women need, if these tests are performed, is love, compassion and support - as do these children. The effect of aborting these children is eugenic, sending a message to parents and society that it is better that children with certain conditions are better off not being born. But as Karen Murawsky, Director of our Public Affairs Office in Ottawa says, "Life is not measured by our physical or mental perfection but how we live our lives, how we love others, and how they love us.

Abortionist Henry Morgentaler has filed suit in the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench against the provincial government to fully fund private abortions at his Fredericton abortuary. Currently, New Brunswick taxpayers pay for abortions only in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, if they are committed in a hospital, and only after a woman has approval from two doctors. Morgentaler says this process is "unconstitutional" and violates the Canada Health Act because it denies women full access to abortion - this despite the fact that the CHA appears to severely limit health care at private facilities. Or is Morgentaler finally admitting that abortion is not health care, in which case it shouldn't be funded under the CHA? The Morgentaler abortuary has been committing abortions in Fredericton since1994, and claims to do them only up to the 16th week of pregnancy.

Last month we reported only the date of the dinner for our 25th anniversary. We are pleased to announce more details and hope that you can join us for an evening guarenteed to have lots of humour, music and familiar faces. The dinner will be held at the Holiday Inn at 370 King St. West in Toronto and tickets are $45 per person. For more information call Yoli at (416) 204-9749. We hope you will join us as we recognize 25 years of pro-life political activism in the defense of innocent human life.

In most places across the country (except Saskatchewan) LifeChain will be held October 5. This is a peaceful, prayerful, silent witness to the injustice of abortion, informing the public that abortion destroys a human life and harms women and that there are alternatives and help for women considering abortion. Many churches and local pro-life groups will have information about the exact time and place, but for more information or the local contact call Sophia at our office at 1-800-730-5358 or (416) 204-9749

On July 19, more than 350 friends and supporters of Fr. Ted Colleton joined us for a celebration of his 90th birthday. During a cruise in the Toronto harbour people ranging in age from less than a year old to those a little closer to Fr. Ted's age, socialized, ate and listened to a number of presentations. A special thanks to Yoli Singson for organizing the event and Fr. Ted's nephew Christopher Daly and niece Trish Wojner for coming from Ireland to celebrate with us. While Fr. Ted has repeatedly protested that he is unworthy of such recognition, it was clear from the many who came out that day (or the following day to a Mass he celebrated in Scarborough, Ont.) and the many others who sent regrets, that he holds a special place in the hearts of pro-lifers. His spiritual leadership, dedication and courage have inspired our movement. The boat cruise was a small token of our appreciation to him.

Yours for life
Jim Hughes
National President