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Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

Week of May 24, 2004

Pro-lifers protest 35 years of funded, legal abortion

Canada is one of four countries in the world that does not protect the unborn child

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

The bill that legalized abortions in Canada 35 years ago received a hearty razzing May 14 by about 40 people who attended a peaceful protest on the steps of the Alberta Legislature.

Organized by Edmonton Pro-Life, the protest to draw attention to the fact that not only does a pregnant female - regardless of age - not require consent to have an abortion, Alberta's health insurance will pay for it, says Pro-Life director Karen Richert.

"Unfortunately, pro-life events don't draw big numbers anymore, but I'm pleased to see the number of people here," Richert said, while men and women carried plaques and posters thanking pro-life for saving their babies.

"People are complacent and they think this issue is settled. I don't think they realize what they can do."

According to Edmonton Pro-Life, in 2002 Alberta taxpayers paid for 10,545 abortions at an estimated cost of more than $6 million. Private abortion clinics in Alberta have been publicly funded since 1995.

Doctors are not required to specify a medical reason for abortion when they submit a bill to Alberta Health. Abortions are considered medically necessary because they appear on the list of insured services, not because of medical indicators.

"There is a waiting list for everything except abortions. Why is that?" Richert said.

"I'm disappointed when people say there is nothing they can do about it. They think because it is legal, it must be right. We are only one of four countries in the world that has no protection for our unborn children."

Questions medics' ethics

Richert says she is confounded that a politician will fight to save an embryo for research but cares nothing about the slaughter of a 20-week-old baby.

Dolores St. Martin arrived from Legal with her four children. She said she is aware of a woman who had an abortion. St. Martin says the woman is "not at peace.

"I'm here because I believe in the right to life," she said. "We need to protect our babies from the moment of conception and to support life until natural death."

Anyone concerned about the issue is encouraged to call their MLA, or Edmonton Pro-Life at (780) 425-1637.

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