The annual March for Life saw thousands from the pro-life movement gather on Parliament Hill and walk the streets of Ottawa to advocate for protection for the pre-born. On the heels of this event, We Need a Law hosted its first ever Training in Action mini-conference!

It began on Thursday evening with a showing of After Tiller, a documentary film following four abortion doctors in the United States. The documentary was challenging as it provided the abortionists’ perspective on why they do late term abortions. After the viewing we discussed the issues raised, including the real suffering that comes from a difficult prenatal diagnosis, and how to compassionately but firmly advocate for a solution other than the premature ending of the pre-born child’s life.

On Friday we gathered at the ARPA offices in Ottawa for some breakfast. After the opening remarks from Mike Schouten, I was able to share We Need a Law’s initiatives including ending sex-selection abortion, parental consent requirements, recognizing pre-born victims of crime, and bringing Canada in line with other democracies with an International Standards Law.

Next Devorah Gilman shared with us some effective communication tactics when discussing pre-born human rights with the Canadian public. She emphasized the importance of “show, don’t tell” and how to use common ground, analogies, and questions to invite others to see that all humans, including the pre-born, are entitled to human rights.

Feeling ready to put this learning into action, we headed to the Human Rights Monument in downtown Ottawa to set up a flag display. We were able to engage people and talk to them about the fact that Canada is one of the only countries in the world without any law protecting the pre-born. We finished up with a de-brief back at the office before wrapping up the conference.

It was a great time of equipping Canadians to communicate the pro-life message. It is our hope that all the participants will take the skills learned and advocate for the rights of the pre-born in their communities.

Of course, it is also true that many elected lawmakers view pre-born children as a political liability and this has most certainly contributed to a thirty-year void when it comes to regulating abortion in Canada. But we do need to acknowledge that the pro-life movement carries some of the responsibility for the political failures in the past three decades. Yet, in the six years our organization has been active, we see plenty of reason for hope!

Breakenridge asserts that

“[t]he pro-life movement seems to be holding out for an unattainable goal of classifying abortion as murder and ending it altogether, rather than focusing on a much more reasonable and attainable goal of reducing the number of abortions.

While polls show that most Canadians support a woman’s right to choose, it doesn’t mean that Canadians are enthusiastically pro-abortion. A goal of a lower abortion rate would have a fairly broad appeal and support. And it’s one the pro-life movement will never embrace.”

With these two short paragraphs Breakenridge shows he is dead wrong.

A growing part of the pro-life movement recognizes that the all-or-nothing approach has resulted in exactly that – nothing. New, young, politically-motivated pro-lifers are embracing opportunities to reduce the abortion rate. Our organization, We Need a Law, advocates for incremental laws that focus on the common ground the majority of Canadians stand on in this debate. We understand that it’s better to save some than none.

By working on bills that, at the very least, would bring Canada into line with nearly every other democracy in the world when it comes to regulating abortion, we are focusing on prudence, wisdom, and a heartfelt desire to protect as many pre-born children as we can. Even if these bills do not pass the first time around polls indicate that there is a broad base of support for some abortion regulations. For example, banning sex-selective abortion, which typically targets girls, would have support from more than 90% of Canadians. We also believe, with the majority of Canadians, that pre-born children who are killed in an act of violent crime, such as murder or assault of the mother, should be viewed as victims. Another area we focus is the gestational age at which abortion can no longer occur. Approximately 80% of Canadians mistakenly believe we have law that prohibits late-term abortion, and are shocked to discover abortion is legal through all 9 months of pregnancy.

We have studied abortion laws in other countries and are inspired by democratic nations similar to ours such as Germany, France and Spain. These, and many others, limit abortion to the first trimester, and offer counseling and time for a woman to make the challenging decision about abortion.

We hear over and over again how many women felt like abortion was their “only choice” – that’s not a choice at all, and something the pro-abortion movement should be equally concerned about. We all care about women. The difference is that pro-lifers also care about children.

#10: “Emotion is Utterly Certain”: Why the Abortion Debate Can’t be Won on Facts

This look at the need for one-on-one, heart-changing conversations will remain relevant for as long as the abortion debate continues. “The job of the pro-life movement is simply to exist and never, ever give up.”

#9: New Infographic!

We were excited to have an updated infographic designed this year, and even more excited when you asked for thousands of them to distribute in your communities! They are perfect for casually leaving on your seat at the restaurant, on the bus, or on a park bench. We also hand them out at flag displays, churches, conferences, and other events. If you’d like to order some, contact Alicia at info@test.weneedalaw.ca.

#8: Addressing Fetal Pain

Science shows consistent stress and pain reactions in fetuses, even before they reach a viable age for life outside the womb. This is horrifying when considered in light of what happens in an abortion, but should also be central in advances in prenatal surgery. “Our laws need to reflect the humanity of the second patient in fetal surgeries, honouring the mothers who choose to give their babies a chance as well as the doctors who pour their talents into such tiny, fragile patients.”

#7: Are Canadian dollars contributing to gender-based violence around the world?

When the United States announced this year that they would pull funding from international organisations funding abortions, Canada was quick to step in with a starting offer of $20 million. On International Women’s Day, we wrote about the irony of giving millions of dollars to fund abortion overseas. Sex-selective abortion targets girls disproportionately more than boys, contributing to the devaluing of women we claim to want to lift up.

#6: Is 100,000 not enough?

Apparently Prime Minister Trudeau and friends don’t think so. Another article about the funding going overseas to promote abortion far and wide. This was the topic most represented in our Top 10 posts and rightly so – we’re glad to know you all care about this as much as we do.

#5: Human rights trump women’s rights

This has become a counter-cultural idea in Canadian society, as the pro-abortion movement tries to put the rights of women above the right to life of all humans. While women absolutely need equal rights to men, that does not include the right to kill their children, just as we would not allow men to do this without consequences.

#4: FIPPA win at court

The big good news story of 2017! We went to court alongside pro-life blogger Patricia Maloney to argue an exception that blocked abortion statistics from Freedom of Information requests. The courts agreed that the exemption was unjustified, and Ontario’s abortion statistics are now accessible to the public, just like any other taxpayer funded medical procedure.

#3: Canada Funding Abortion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

To those who noticed the erroneous Dominican Republic of the Congo in the Facebook post, thank you for graciously overlooking that and reading the article anyway This powerful post was written by articling student Tabitha Ewert, and draws attention to a truly tragic use of Canadian money abroad.

#2: Suffering Chickens

The outrage that ensued when abuse of chickens by chicken catchers in British Columbia was revealed was swift and certain. Director Mike Schouten, proud owner of some beautiful backyard chickens, understood the outrage – and wishes it would extend to how we treat the most vulnerable members of the human family.

#1: Say no to funding abortion overseas

Our #1 post says a lot about you, our incredible supporters. The top post this year was a call to action, a request to contact your MP and call the Prime Minister’s office. This was the post that the most of you read and engaged with. Thank you for speaking up for what you, and we, believe in – that taxpayer money should never be spent on abortion, here or anywhere else in the world.

Seeing this as our top post is a great encouragement to us that we are part of building a community ready for action, a community that does not give up even when things seem impossible. Thank you for being here in this community with us. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

In the words of Durham:

“There exists no reasonable argument or possibility that the person responsible for the murder of Cassie did not know she was pregnant. There exists no reasonable argument or possibility that the person responsible for this did not intend to kill both Cassie and the baby she carried. In Canada, there exists no law against what this person did to our daughter.

…The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada claims to be a “voice for choice,” but where are they now? Where are the ones that so ardently defend a woman’s right to choose? Should they not be standing up and screaming for Cassie? For a woman whose choice was violently and intentionally ripped away from her?”

You can read the rest of his emotional speech here.