In the wake Marci McDonald's newly released book The Armageddon Factor: The Rise Of Christian Nationalism In Canada, a political firestorm has erupted on Parliament Hill, igniting debate about just who's influencing the policy decisions made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

A Monday gathering of Canadian and international women's rights experts on Parliament Hill was intended to discuss Canada's role in the maternal and child health initiative at the upcoming G8 summit; To voice their concerns over the erosion of gender equality and women's rights in foreign policy under Stephen Harper, and address the omission of abortion rights in the maternal health initiative.

Nancy Ruth is a great pro-choice supporter but she is also a Conservative Senator. Her advice to feminist leaders to "shut the fuck up about abortion" so as not to threaten Harper's initiative on maternal health is no doubt her honest opinion about how best to advance women's rights under this profoundly anti-feminist, anti-choice government, but she is very very wrong.