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PRIESTS FOR LIFE CANADA SUPPORTS "ROXANNE'S LAW"
Priests for Life Canada would like to commend Mr. Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and Chair of the multi-party Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus, for introducing Bill C-510, "An Act to Prevent Coercion of Pregnant Women to Abort (Roxanne's Law)", submitted on April 15, 2010.
This Private Members Bill would make it a criminal offence to coerce a woman into having an abortion. "There are many stories of women being threatened and coerced into having abortions against their will", said Bruinooge. "If a woman resists, such coercion may escalate into violence, and even murder. That's what happened to Roxanne Fernando, in whose memory I have named this bill". Roxanne Fernando was a young woman from Winnipeg who was murdered by Nathanael Plourde (the father of her unborn child) after he failed to convince her to end her pregnancy. In February 2007, Plourde and two friends beat Roxanne brutally and dumped her in a snow bank to die.
"This bill would help protect a pregnant woman who does not want to terminate her pregnancy", said Bruinooge. "No woman should ever feel intimidated to have an unwanted abortion. Anyone who attempts to force a woman to abort her wanted fetus should face consequences".
Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has indicated in the past that he would not support pro-life legislation, however, this legislation would not affect abortion access in Canada and for this reason he has no reason not to support Bill C-510. Abortion would still be legal throughout a woman's entire pregnancy however Canadian law presently provides no specific protection for pregnant women against coercion to have an abortion.
Priests for Life Canada encourages its supporters to write a note to Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, as well as all MPs asking them to support Bill C-510. Please take a moment as well and thank Mr. Bruinooge for putting this proposal forward. Women have a right to continue their pregnancy without the threat of coercion.
See detailed information about Roxanne's Law at: www.roxanneslaw.ca
Please send your note to (no postage is required):
Rod Bruinooge, MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
E-Mail: rod@bruinooge.com
Right Hon. Stephen Harper
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Telephone:(613) 992-4211
Fax:(613) 941-6900
E-Mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Write your own Member of Parliament:
Click here to find out who your MP is by postal code.
Name of MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
You can also send an E-mail note to all Members of Parliament at: www.contactmps.com.
Sincerely Yours for Life,
Fr. Tom Lynch
National Director, Priests for Life Canada
