OTTAWA, April 27, 2010 – The Catholic Civil Rights League is pleased that Canada will not fund abortion services as part of a G8 initiative to improve the health of women and children in poor countries.
As G8 officials arrived in Halifax for talks on the maternal health initiative Monday, International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda said other Group of Eight nations can finance projects that include abortion if they choose to do so, but Canada won’t. She added that Canada’s strategy may involve various interventions, including family planning, but that details have not yet been determined.
“While we’re pleased that Canada has drawn a line under the funding of abortions in its contribution to the G-8 initiative, the inclusion of family planning leaves a question mark over it from a strictly Catholic standpoint,” said Joanne McGarry, League executive director. “The reality is there is a huge amount that needs to be done to improve the health of women and children in the Third World, and much could be done in the provision of general medical care, clean water, nutrition and immunization programs before questions of birth control or abortion would even arise.
“In any case, our taxes continue to fund abortions in Canada, and there is very little sign that even the most modest restrictions would survive politically. So I think it’s mistaken to see this one small improvement as heralding any real change.”
G8 should help world’s neediest, says League, press releases, March 23, 2010
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (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. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca