Politically I suspect the Prime Minister would be wise to continue its position that it isn't planning to do anything. Still, raising the issue suggests an election is in the offing?
James Cowan
Ottawa Citizen, Aug. 22, 2008
Stéphane Dion has challenged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to clarify his view on abortion, threatening to reignite the debate as Canada careens toward an election.
The Liberal leader threw down the gauntlet while answering a question at a town-hall meeting on Wednesday night in Oakville.
The event was billed as a discussion of the Liberals' carbon tax plan, but a member of the audience asked Mr. Dion for his views on the Unborn Victims of Crime Act instead.
The private member's bill would make it a criminal offence to harm an unborn child during an attack on its mother.
Mr. Dion said he opposed the proposed legislation because it might infringe on women's access to abortion.
"We need to protect everyone against crime, but at the same time, it happens that I believe in the rights of women to choose and I have a lot of respect for the people who have a different view," he told the crowd.
Mr. Dion then called upon the prime minister to state his own position on abortion.
"I think all Canadians have the right to know what the party leader thinks,"
he said.
"I gave my opinion. I want to hear the opinion of Stephen Harper."
During the 2006 election campaign, Mr. Harper said his party would not support or initiate abortion legislation. He refused to discuss his personal views on the topic.
"My views on the abortion issue are complex," he told Global News at the time.
He said his position did not fall into either of the polar extremes on the issue.
Mr. Harper also said it was unnecessary for him to disclose his own views because his government would not proceed with "an abortion agenda."
Paul Martin, the former Liberal leader, tried to exploit Mr. Harper's apparent obfuscation, warning that the Conservatives would put abortion rights "in jeopardy" if elected.
"We need to hear Mr. Harper's position, his whole position. It's not complex. It's simply a question of yes or no," Mr. Martin said at the time.
Mr. Harper subsequently defeated the Martin government and became prime minister.
The Conservative government has "no intention to reopen the debate on abortion," a spokesman said yesterday in an e-mail.
"This is a private member's bill, not a government bill. This bill is being studied in depth in front of a parliamentary committee," Darren Eke said.
4 comments:
They are both covered in blood. Harper a coward and Dion a butcher.
Proof that Liberals are a divide and conquer party.
Dion just gave PMSH a pedestal to stand on.
"we are the Unity Party, and Conservatives will not go down roads that divide the Nation.
We will keep this country united ...'
childofgod, I'll gladly eat blood pudding before nutters like yourself dictate what is a moral question.
This is so lovely, Dion tightens noose around Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin's neck. Considering what we know about how the Order of Canada was arranged for Dr. Henry Morgentaler Dion is an idiot when he pulls that skeleton out of the closet.
Post a Comment