Dear Editor:
MP Follows Party Line, Not Common Sense
Bill C-484 (The Unborn Victims of Crime Bill) recently passed 2nd reading in the House of Commons, 147 to 132, and has gone to Committee. The bill would make it a separate crime to kill or injure the unborn child of a woman during a violent attack on that woman. Since 2004, 10 pregnant women and their unborn babies have been violently killed in Canada, yet their attackers have only been charged with one murder.
Families of these women are seeking justice for the loss of their unborn family members. This bill has widespread support across Canada, even from those who support abortion on demand. 75% of Canadian women polled want legal protection for these wanted children.
Although this bill has tremendous support across party lines, the NDP caucus has taken a negative position, claiming that recognition of the unborn child would somehow jeopardize “women’ rights”. Out of 30 NDP MPs, only one, Peter Stoffer of Nova Scotia, voted for the bill. Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, Nathan Cullen, dutifully followed the party line, voting against C-484 instead of supporting this small gesture of respect for innocent and wanted human life. How sad. The bill clearly states that it does not apply to abortion and only activates when a woman has been the victim of a violent crime where the child is killed or injured against the wishes of the mother. C-484 deserves the support of every MP with a conscience.
Rod Taylor
Smithers, BC
