8mm
Posted on 10/02/2008 4:29:08 PM PDT by wagglebee
TORONTO, October 2, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper's disturbing statements to the media that he will undemocratically not permit anyone to reopen the debate on abortion are a stark betrayal of conservative principles and should prompt his electoral defeat in Calgary Southwest in the coming federal election, says the editor of Canada's national Catholic magazine of news, analysis and opinion. In addition, Father Alphonse de Valk, editor of Catholic Insight magazine, is calling for the removal of Harper as Conservative party leader.
"For Mr. Harper to state that he would not personally support a law limiting abortion is one thing," said de Valk. "But to go so far as to strong arm his own MPs from supporting the right to life and even, as his spokesperson suggested, whip his cabinet on the matter, is unconscionable."
De Valk noted Harper's latest declarations follow a bevy of other statements and actions during his prime ministerial tenure that have betrayed conservative and democratic principles. Earlier, Harper undermined Bill C-484, the Unborn Victims of Crime Act, which polls demonstrated is supported by a majority of Canadians. He also squandered the parliamentary vote on so-called same-sex marriage, has failed to rein in human rights commissions run amok and has not taken steps to overturn the naming of Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada, he said.
It is a falsity to suggest most Canadians support the current state of affairs wherein abortions can be committed right up to the moment of birth, said de Valk, adding that polls show most Canadians want restrictions on it. This is demonstrated, for example, by a 2006 Environics Research Group survey that revealed 64 per cent of Canadians support laws to protect human life before birth.
"Mr. Harper's position should reflect the views of Canadians," said de Valk. "That he will not act conservatively and democratically on a crucial life and death matter disqualifies him from serving as leader of a conservative party. We also encourage the voters of Calgary Southwest to defeat him in the election."
I didn’t know there were too many Catholics left in Canada. I mean where was the outrage when they passed homo marriage.
“and the liberals are better?”
Too bad we’re not asking that question in the US.
To Catholic Canadians:
In the Canadian elections, which is likely to help elect more Conservatives to Parliament - electing Harper or defeating him?
If more Conservatives than Liberals get elected, will pro-life forces be strengthened or made worse.
I think Catholics must realize that Conservatives are their better friends.
Friends build alliances with each other when and how they can, or they destroyn them on single issues.
Harper has a good chance of carrying more Conservatives into government with him.
If I were a Canadian Catholic, I’d think that would be a good thing.
My question is whether there are other Conservatives who would be preferable to Harper.
Preferable is one thought.
Possible is another, and if I may say, a more important one.
We have to work with what is possible, and real.
Stephen Harper is the best leader we have had in Canada in my life time, but still, 3 years later, some of the electorate continues to be convinced that Stephen Harper is scary. All those conservative views, don'cha know.
I look forward to the day that abortion is put to a national referendum. Given that chance, I know most Canadians would outlaw Partial Birth Abortions, once they really understood what it was.
Anyway, we have to do what we can, with what we have.
None that can become PM in this election. It’s either a mostly conservative Harper or one of the socialist anti-americans who lead the other parties.
No, don’t really have time to volunteer. I was unemployed when Walter Robinson was running here and it was great working with him. I so wish he won. A lawn sign is about all I’m up for this time.
Don’t put words in my mouth. The fact is that there is no viable option for electing a PM that will be pro-life. As much as you might hate his position on it, it will either be him or Dion or Layton. If you want to tell me to not vote for Harper, then have the guts to tell me who you think I should vote for instead.
there are real conservatives here in NY too but like Canada we also have a lot of socialists and first priority is making sure they don’t win.
well you solve the problem by fielding a better candidate and not waiting a few days before an election
it’s so easy to always say NO to everything than offer real alternatives
Yeah - bullsh*t rhetoric above all else, evidently.
Be honest - you have absolutely zero intention of living in simple, let alone primitive, circumstances.
I can understand that there will be some differences between Canadian and U.S. conservatism, but three subjects I do not compromise on are defense, abortion and the right to keep and bear arms. I don’t know how Harper is on the first and third subjects but I was shocked that he seems to be pro-abortion.
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