In the face of these doomsday scenarios, we are seeing a very different picture emerge. The evidence is mounting that abortion restrictions are having completely opposite effect – not only are they resulting in less abortions, they are also having a positive impact on women’s health.

The federal government in the United States has released the latest abortion related statistics via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the numbers show an encouraging trend. Abortion rates are the lowest in decades as more and more women choose alternatives. In 2011 there were 13.9 abortions for every 1000 women of reproductive age. This figure has been steadily declining since 1980, when there were 25 abortions for every 1000 women. The numbers released by CDC are in line with earlier reports from the Guttmacher Institute (America’s largest abortion advocate) and they show that abortion regulations are having the desired effect.

The correlation between the number of abortions and the increase in abortion regulations cannot be ignored. Between 2000 and 2011 there were nearly 300 abortion laws passed nationwide in the USA. These laws are a reflection of the changing public attitudes towards abortion.

And it’s not only our southern neighbours where we see this seismic shift.

In 1989, Chile implemented a complete ban on abortion. At the time there was tremendous public outcry that this would lead to illegal abortions which would certainly result in women’s health being jeopardized. But thanks to accurate reporting (unlike here in Canada, where it is impossible to get accurate statistics because provincial governments have censored the information), we now know that the opposite is true. The MELISA Institute, a Chilean private non-profit institution for advanced bio-medical research, has recently released data showing that not only has maternal health improved, the number of women seeking illegal abortion has plummeted.

Dr. Elard Koch, Director of Research of the MELISA Institute says that since Chile banned abortion in 1989, the number of maternal deaths has decreased from 41.3 to 12.7 per 100,000 women. It is hard to argue with numbers like that. Dr. Koch attributes this to a number of things including data which “suggests that support programs directed to vulnerable women can prevent most induced abortions.” He goes on to say that, “The Chilean experience represents a paradox in our times: even under a less permissive abortion legislation, maternal health indicators can be significantly improved by other factors, including a noteworthy reduction in mortality and morbidity associated to abortion.”

It appears that Stephen Harper is onto something with his maternal health initiative, which specifically excludes abortion.

Chile has proven to be a world leader in maternal health. Banning abortion has helped them achieve these positive outcomes. Dr. Kock explains, “The high quality of Chilean vital statistics indicates these findings are unlikely to be the result of an artifact of the registry system. Rather, a decrease in hospital discharges due to complications from illegal abortion appears to explain virtually all the reduction in hospital discharges due to any type of abortion in Chile during the last decade.” Not only are women not seeking abortions outside proper healthcare facilities, the number of women seeking abortions is declining.

Around the world the pro-life movement has always taken a multi-pronged approach to addressing abortion. Largely through the efforts of volunteers they have come alongside women in unplanned pregnancies, exploring the options and caring for them and their families. In addition to this there are efforts geared towards educating the public about the impact of abortion on women and children.

Canada lags far behind in proper care for pregnant women and pre-born children. Women are not even afforded the respect of receiving all the relevant information prior to making a decision about the health of their pre-born child. The experiences of Chile and the United States should open our eyes to the reality that abortion regulations enhance maternal health.

Laws will never be the complete answer. As with every other example of human brokenness, they will not prevent all abortions. But that does not mean that we are excused from taking action. Just as our nation has done in addressing the harms of cigarette smoking, Canada can go a lot further to provide proper care, information, and protection for pregnant women and their pre-born children. It is time to enact life-saving regulations which bring us into line with other civilized nations.

Gallant’s position seems largely influenced by federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. For months now Trudeau has been talking nonsense about the legal status of abortion in Canada. He is either ignorant of the jurisprudence or is intentionally misrepresenting what the law says. Even as late as this past weekend, the flamboyant Trudeau was on CBC’s Sunday Edition telling listeners that his party is “a party of the Charter” and he will defend women’s rights at all costs. Does he really think all women are pro-abortion? As one female supporter said to me, “If he isn’t assuming that [all women are pro-abortion], then I’m offended as a citizen that he would strip me of democracy. We shouldn’t be putting up with this kind of patronizing attempt at leadership in a post-feminist Canada.”

The question that needs to be asked is “where are all the pro-life leaders?” David Alward is a pro-life leader and it looks like his four-year tenure as premier of New Brunswick is about done. Why isn’t he countering Gallant’s pro-choice platform? As the leader of the Progressive Conservatives surely he must know that nearly three-quarters of his province is opposed to the very thing Gallant is proposing – unrestricted access to publicly funded abortion for any reason at any time throughout a pregnancy. Certainly a large number of those 75% have always voted Liberal. But is Alward going to sit idly by while they all go into the voting booth next week and not do anything to court their vote? While there are still some hard-core abortion advocates who make the news once in a while, they are a minority who cannot morally, scientifically or logically defend the new Liberal position.

Canada has no legal protection for children before birth. The legal restriction in New Brunswick may result in fewer abortions, but it does not protect pre-born children. The last time we had any protections for pre-born children in Canada was before January 28,1988.

Canadians concerned about human rights for all members of the human family are making progress in advocating for laws protecting pre-born children at some stage of pregnancy. This is not an extreme position and politicians should not be afraid to debate it.

It is time for politicians not just to say they are pro-life, but to be pro-life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a martyr under the Nazi regime, once said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Politicians at both federal and provincial levels – be emboldened!