September 30, 2008 News

Pro-choice show where they stand

by Ion Etxebarria

PHOTO Ion Etxebarria

At least 5,000 people demonstrated against Bill C-484 as part of the Pan-Canadian Day of Action for Abortion Rights.

Bill C-484, also known as the “Unborn Victims of Crime Act,” would treat the foetus as a separate victim and allow separate homicide charges to be laid in the case when a pregnant woman is subject to a criminal attack and the foetus dies.

Feminist collectives believe that giving the foetus a particular juridical status would open a door to challenge abortion rights in Canada and does not really protect women against violence.

Bill C-484 was introduced by Conservative MP Ken Epp from Edmonton and passed second reading on Mar. 5 in the House of Commons. All but four Conservative MPs and 27 Liberal MPs supported the bill, but it was retired by the Conservative Party due to upcoming federal elections.

The organizers of the demonstration, the Quebec Women’s Federation and the Federation of Quebec Family Planning, did not endorse any political parties. Michele Asselin, president of the FFQ, called on Canadians “to defeat the Conservatives and not to give any votes to candidates that threaten to reverse women’s advancements and autonomy."