In the 80s, it was the Devine regime provincially and the Mulroney machine federally that moved the regina mom into political activism. The issue of reproductive rights got her involved in the women’s movement of the day. And here she is, more than 25 years later, again working on that file.
On Thursday, April 26, the House of Commons is scheduled to debate MP Stephen Woodworth’s Motion 312 which ultimately seeks to make abortion illegal. If passed, the abortion debate in Canada will officially be re-opened.
Yes, one year ago the prime minister said he wouldn’t re-open the debate. But, do you trust him? Does any Canadian woman believe him? the regina mom doesn’t.
That’s why she’s been working with the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada to mobilize women across the nation. Already, more than 11,500 have signed our digital petition. It’s heartwarming, really, to know that so many support the efforts of a few dedicated volunteers and, more importantly, the right of a woman to control her own body.
ARCC has now decided to initiate a signature drive on a hard copy of the petition. This will allow it be part of the public record via the House of Commons. ARCC has contacted various prochoice members of parliament of different political stripes for assistance. the regina mom encourages you to contact your member of parliament to see where s/he stands on the issue of women’s reproductive freedom.
And, the regina mom would love it if you would help out, too. Arm yourself with information. Then, take a moment to print out the petition (PDF) on 8.5 x 14 paper, invite your family / friends / co-workers to sign it and then send it to the ARCC. We’ll make sure it gets to a prochoice MP for presentation to the House.
*When abortions were illegal, women would use any means at their disposal to terminate a pregnancy. Coat hangers were easily accessible and often used. Women died as a result of botched abortions. The graphic, Never Again, is the ProChoice movement’s statement that we will stand guard so that we will never again go back to those times.
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