Support for Morgentaler Order of Canada High

OTTAWA -- Two out of three Canadians either support or somewhat support the appointment of Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the prestigious Order of Canada, reveals a new poll, which points out Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in the minority by voicing his "personal dissatisfaction" with the controversial nomination.

The survey, conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global National, showed 65 per cent of Canadians favour awarding the high honour to the Toronto abortion doctor, while 35% are against it.

"Two-thirds support is very solid," John Wright, senior vice president of the polling firm Ipsos Reid, which surveyed 1,023 adults from July 4-7. "You're not going to do much better than that."

Women, Quebecers, and people under 35 were the most likely to approve of Dr. Morgentaler's investiture to the order, bestowed on Canadians who have made a major difference to the country.

While opposition was strongest in the Prairies and Atlantic Canada, a majority in every province still gave the nod to the announcement that Dr. Morgentaler, one of the most divisive Canadians in history, would receive the snowflake-shaped insignia.

Nationally, 27% of Canadians polled said they strongly supported the nomination, while 37% somewhat agreed. On the other side, 19% were strongly opposed and 16% were somewhat opposed.

The nomination of the 85-year-old Morgentaler, whose name has been synonymous with abortion rights since he opened his first clinic in Montreal almost four decades ago, has revived passionate debate nationwide.

On Tuesday, protest persisted when representatives of Madonna House, an Ontario Catholic organization, traveled to the official residence of the Governor General in Ottawa to return an Order of Canada medal awarded 32 years ago to its now-deceased founder, Catherine Doherty.

Ontario's Catholic premier also jumped into the debate by saying he supports Morgentaler's induction.

"I know Dr. Morgentaler is seen as a controversial figure but I believe in a women's right to make a very difficult decision and if she makes that difficult decision and chooses to have an abortion I want her to be able to do that in a way that is safe and a way that's publicly funded," Dalton McGuinty said Tuesday afternoon in Toronto.

"It is divisive, but I think it is important."

The prime minister also has been among about one dozen MPs who have criticized Dr. Morgentaler's award, saying last week that 'my preference, to be frank, would be to see the Order of Canada be something that really unifies, that brings Canadians together."

Mr. Harper also said he had nothing to do with Morgentaler's appointment, which was made by an independent advisory council led by Beverley McLachlin, the chief justice of Canada.

"Despite Prime Minister Harper's personal dissatisfaction with this decision . . . it appears that he is in the minority," a news release on the poll said.

But Mr. Wright said he doubts Harper risked alienating two-thirds of the country, since he did not directly attack abortion.

Regionally, support was strongest in Canada's three largest provinces. Seventy-two per cent of Quebecers said they support Morgentaler's appointment, followed by Ontario residents at 69% and British Columbians at 61%. In Alberta, 64% indicated support, followed by 52% in Atlantic Canada and 51% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The poll also showed that more women than men favour Morgentaler's investiture, at 68% and 61% respectively.

There were also strong age divisions, with support among the under-35 set reaching 70%, followed by middle-aged Canadians at 65%. Of those who are 55 or older, 59% supported the decision.

The survey is considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times in 20, but the margin of error is greater within regions and other subgroups.

James Morton
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