Bill introduced to protect unborn victims of violence

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

An Alberta MP tabled a private member's bill May 17 to protect unborn victims of violence.

Conservative MP Leon Benoit (Vegreville-Wainwright) told the House of Commons he was introducing Bill C-291 to amend the Criminal Code because the law provides no protection for unborn children.

The bill's intent

His bill would make it a crime to injure or kill an unborn child while in the commission of a violent offence against the mother.

"Olivia Talbot, a young woman from Edmonton with her whole life ahead of her, had chosen to keep her child and raise a family," he told the House. She was shot and killed and as was her unborn child in the November 2005 slaying.

"This bill would make it a separate offence to kill or injure an unborn child while committing a violent crime against its mother. I look forward to support from all parties for this bill.

Talbot, 19, was 27 weeks pregnant when she and her unborn son Lane J. were killed. No charges were laid in the killing of her son since Canadian law does not recognize the unborn child as a person.

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