OTTAWA, Aug. 29, 2008 – The Catholic Civil Rights League today commented on the Conservative proposal to replace Private Member’s Bill C-484, the Unborn Victims of Crime Act with a government bill that would strengthen sentencing provisions by recognizing pregnancy as an aggravating factor in violent assaults.
The replacement bill has not yet been brought forward, and if election rumours prove to be true, it may not be for some time. The League is disappointed that C-484 will probably not succeed now, and that much of this is due to ill-informed opposition by groups and individuals who insisted that it was a “back-door effort” to re-criminalize abortion. In fact, some pro-lifers have not supported the bill precisely because it so specifically excludes abortion.
Nevertheless, the debate helped create more awareness of the problem of domestic violence as well as the absence of any abortion law in Canada. We thank all the League members and others who expressed support for Bill C-484 to their MPs and in the media. The debate is certainly not over.
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