TORONTO, ON August 24, 2015 – The Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) sent the following letter to federal health minister Rona Ambrose in opposition to the approval of the abortion drug RU-486. On July 30, we issued a statement and spoke to national media expressing our profound disappointment and disapproval of the Health Canada decision. The CCRL encourages all of our supporters and friends to also write Ms. Ambrose.
Hon. Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6
rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca
August 20, 2015
Dear Ms. Ambrose,
I write on behalf of our national membership to express dismay and displeasure at the approval by Health Canada of the introduction of the RU-486 abortifacient.
The Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) wrote to you in February of 2014 in order to express concerns about news that Health Canada was being urged to approve an application for the abortion inducing drug RU-486. On July 30 of this year we issued a press release and spoke to national media expressing our profound disappointment regarding the unexpected and unwelcome decision by Health Canada to approve this controversial drug.
Today, we write to you specifically in condemnation of this decision.
The CCRL upholds the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. The addition of RU-486 to Canada’s abortion options is of particular concern to all Canadians, even those who do not share our beliefs.
There are safety concerns that are simply not being addressed.
How is Health Canada acting in the interests of women by approving a drug that will necessitate women performing their own chemical abortions at home, a process that includes the expelling, the bleeding out of the terminated baby? Numerous studies in other jurisdictions have disclosed adverse impacts of the use of this drug, all which appear to have been ignored by Health Canada in the approval of a drug that not only kills the unborn child, but leaves the mother at substantial risk.
There are also ethical concerns that are not being addressed.
Women who perceive themselves to be in a crisis pregnancy will inevitably be steered toward this do-it-yourself option in a publicly funded system facing enormous financial challenges. Is the position of your government to advance maternal health via this drug, taken alone? Are there no safeguards proposed to educate or inform a woman on the adverse consequences of the drug’s use? Is your government in favour of leaving women to address the physical and emotional hardships that are already known by your approval of this drug?
No public hearings have been conducted in Canada, either with medical experts or members of the public. The timing of this approval in the middle of the summer, just days before the dissolution of Parliament is troublesome.
We at the Catholic Civil Rights League strongly protest against the approval of RU-486 and we respectfully request a ministerial directive that would halt its introduction in Canada.
Sincerely,
Christian Domenic Elia, PhD
Executive Director, Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL)
2305 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S 1P1
celia@ccrl.ca
About the CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. The CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization with a large nationwide membership base. The CCRL is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information:
Christian Domenic Elia, PhD
CCRL Executive Director
416-466-8244
@CCRLtweets