Youth Blog

On May 8th, 2025, Canadians from all walks of life gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa where policies are passed and changes are made. All were united with the purpose of giving voice to the voiceless.  

Signs and banners in support of the pro-life movement were waved in the air amid the heavy weight of urgency, the conviction that this event was both spiritual and deeply personal. Some read, “I Regret My Abortion” and some others said, “Choose Life”. I attended along with others, to send a reminder to Canada that life is sacred.  

As I stood in support waiting for speeches to commence, I could not help but notice the diversity among the large crowd. To my right, a young couple stood cradling their newborn. On the left, a group of elders focused on prayer, and many students stretched throughout the flock. Each individual, living a different life with a different story, all loved by God, simply taking a stand for a future where human life is valued by the majority and is protected from conception until natural death.  

It was wonderful to watch the excitement strike once it had been announced that white smoke had trickled from the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Cheers could be heard from the Catholic crowd, enthusiastic to learn of the world's new pope, Pope Leo XIV.  

Opening with prayer and blessing was Archbishop Marcel Damphousse of Ottawa-Cornwall, who reminded us that standing for life is not a political fad, but a moral calling. Jeff Gunnarson emphasized that the lack of legal protection for the preborn is a national failure, while Emily Stimpson Chapman encouraged the attentive crowd to confront women in crisis with compassion rather than condemnation.  

From Alex Schadenberg’s warning of the culture of death encroaching on us in the form of abortion and MAID, to Silent No More’s healing stories by individuals who experienced trauma due to abortion and redemption through faith, and Debbie Duval’s encouragement to the younger generations; The speaker line-up was the perfect mix of truth and testimony.  

I spent some time exploring the crowd of counter-protesters, which had noticeably decreased participation compared to last year. Their presence was not discouraging; rather seen as a challenge to change hearts and minds. I was reminded that in the face of disagreement, leading with love, patience, and truth is the best way to plant seeds.  

The call for legal protection of the pre-born, and opposition to euthanasia and MAID, was taken from the Hill to the streets. As we marched side by side past government buildings and busy intersections, chants were sung, and the feeling of purpose and reclamation of morality lingered.  

Looking back towards the long line of people, it stretched a far distance. Despite the sorrow that comes with Canada’s abortion laws and the silence of our politicians, there was joy to be found. A type of joy rooted in faith which comes with an overwhelming sense of hope.   

While we live in a country where the most vulnerable are disregarded by the law and in a culture where death is glamorized by the term “choice”, the National March for Life gives me hope for the future. It is reassuring to know that many refuse to go along with the status quo of treating human life as if it is disposable.   

Considering the culture which often misunderstands and mocks those who value life, the number of youth present really stood out to me. It made it increasingly clear that the pro-life movement is not in decline but is fully alive and engaging with the next generation.   

While the march for this year may be complete, the fight is not over. I am thankful to Campaign Life Coalition and their persistence in standing for life, and for the ability we all have, to continue the movement by changing hearts and minds in our conversations and communities. Together, we can keep standing strong in effort until every human life is valued in culture and protected under the law!