On the weekend of May 2, a very positive pro-life event took place—the second meeting within six months of the newly-formed Campaign Life Ontario, a provincial branch of the national political pro-life organization.

Held in Niagara Falls, the meeting brought together pro-life activists from across the province to discuss such important items as election strategy; building support; the role of The Interim; activism; a new party; co-coordinating the lobbying of MPs and MPPs; and fundraising.  Delegates spent an extremely informative weekend, with plenty of lively discussion and opportunities for exchanging ideas and experiences.

Participants traveled from Ottawa, Kitchener, Goderich, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Timmins, Hanover, Parry Sound, Windsor, Cornwall, Cobourg, Kingston, St. Catherines, Hamilton, Barrie, Brampton, and Toronto.

Those who had been involved in Campaign Life for sometime couldn’t help but  notice, and be encouraged by, many new faces.  According to Campaign Life Canada president, Jim Hughes.   “The movement is getting stronger.  This is largely due to the many new people who are assuming leadership roles across Toronto.”

On Saturday morning, the meeting commenced with a discussion on with the necessity of building a body of supporters who are pro-life and willing to vote on the issue.  Jim Hughes paid tribute to invaluable work of the educational groups in teaching about the unborn child, but said that this is isn’t enough.  He emphasized that pro-lifers become politicized first and to learn to “party supporters second, and, when necessary, be ready to cross party lines.  If people vote only for pro-life politicians, the possibility of  changing Canadian law so that it provides full legal protection to our unborn children becomes greater, he said.
“To protect the unborn child from being destroyed we must be pro-life first.” he said, many supporters second.  Pro-life political work is not only done at election time.  Jim discussed the importance of political work between elections, such as identifying the federal and the provincial riding of Campaign Life supporters. He also suggested various guidelines for making the most of pro-life work at election time.

Many Speakers

The next speaker to address delegates was Sabina McLuhan, editor of the Interim who spoke about the role of the paper in educating and gathering support for the

pro-life movement. To-day, because of increasing attacks on the family issues are covered, such in infanticide, homosexuality, pornography, no fault divorce, children raised by the state and so on. The role of the Interim was warmly debated by many different delegates. Interim staff at the meeting received a good impression of how a newspaper is being received by active pro-lifers across Ontario.  Ontario, and for the most part, the reaction was positive.

During the reminder of the morning session, Jennifer McAvoy of Campaign Toronto gave a synopsis of the work being done by Campaign Life speakers.

Bureau delegates were given an opportunity to view the 10-minute slide presentation; and lastly, a panel discussion focused on pro-life activism—recruiting a corps of activists.

The panel featured four dedicated and involved activists: Mary Ellen Douglas, from Kingston, John Lemire from Timmins; Laurie Erb of Goderich and  Dan McCash, who introduced himself as being from “ 85 Harbord Street.”

The discussion ranged from organizing campaigns at election time, arranging pickets of politicians, keeping pro-lifers involved in various activities throughout the year, and the daily strain of picketing and sidewalk counselling at the Morgentaler abortuary in Toronto. During the question period which followed, many people expressed grave concern about the lies and distortions against pro-life activists promoted by the media.

Afternoon topics featured the political aspects of pro-life work. Last November the Board of Directors of Campaign Life Canada authorized the formation of a committee to investigate the feasibility of a pro-life political party. Committee members Father Alphonse de Valk and Bill Mullally from Toronto, and Dr. John Meehan from Kitchener, formed a panel and discussed their work date.

A new Party?

A draft preamble for a party constitution was read and also a pro-life policy statement on the family. The question-and-comment period which followed was quite spirited and provided the panel with a good indication for where participants at this meeting stand on the issue of a new party.

Some were concerned that a party founded on traditional, pro-life, pro –family principles would never have an opportunity to exert any influences. Everyone was reminded, however of the status of the NPD party which, in its 55-year history, has never been in power federally, but has greatly influenced policy. Many of the delegates expressed sincere enthusiasm over the possibility of a new party which would develop its policies according to the values that they cherish.

The next panel discussed whether or not to actually go ahead with a  new party. Cy Fleming of Mississauga, Irene Morel from Parry Sound, Stephen Jalsevac from Toronto and Dr. John Meenan spoke pro and con the idea.

Two members spoke against the establishment of a new party. One panelist, actively working within the existing system, endorsed Liberals for Life, of which he is chairman. Another panelist spoke against a new party for the practical reason that it could fragment the work of Campaign Life, and voiced a concern that the organization might lose its focus on saving unborn babies.

The other two members of the panel expressed faith in the development of a new party, although emphasizing that pro-lifers must be cautious , prepared to spend great amounts of time and energy, and be totally devoted to the maintenance of a pure philosophy.

Delegates were then given the opportunity to hear from Mr. Vanwoudenberg from Surrey, B.C., who came to the meeting to speak about a newly-formed party, the Christian Heritage Party.

During the discussion that followed, delegates were reminded by one participant of the necessity of supporting pro-life members of the Canadian government who speak out for the unborn. The means of expressing this support is through letters, telegrams, or making phone calls to their offices. It was suggested that pro-lifers let these politicians and others know that abortion is a vital issue at all times, not just during elections.

There were no votes taken on the new party issue. The purpose of the Niagara Falls meeting was not to make any definite decisions about a new party, but to inform participants of the committee’s conclusions and to provide an opportunity for input from other active pro-lifers.

On the last day of the meeting the topics of discussion were: methods of co-coordinating MP’s and MPPs ; the lobbying of politicians; and fundraising.

Political scene

Paul Dodds, legal counsel for Campaign Life, brought out some very important points in describing ways that local pro-life representatives can make the most of the political scene. He emphasized the need for working with elected politicians between elections, finding out their positions, and obtaining statements that can be used at election time. Paul said,  “ We must keep the issue alive with Members at all times. We must use every opportunity.”

In general discussion, it was determined that, to be politically effective, local groups should help round out the knowledge Campaign Life in Toronto already has of politicians, by sending in local information for the files. The importance of working within the parties, to elect pro-life candidates, was also stressed.

Sue Hierlihy, of Action Life in Ottawa, spoke on the subject of lobbying. She offered an interesting overview of the work of a pro-life lobbyist in Ottawa, and explained how some parliamentary procedures could be used for pro-life ends.

Sue explained that, as a lobbyist, she is a means of communication between MPs and pro-lifers. Mps are kept in tune with our aim to protect the unborn, and in turn, pro-life groups are informed- or warned, as the case may be- of what goes on in the House of Commons. The work of lobbyist involves keeping well informed about Hansard, television coverage of Commons’ necessary for a lobbyist to be on good terms with the MPs and to use every opportunity to get information to them.

Fund-raising

The final address was given by Don Pennell from Burlington, who spoke on fundraising. Don’s talk was a crash course from a master salesman on the finances of Campaign Life ad local pro-life groups, and how to raise funds. He stressed that the economic reality of Campaign Life and other pro-life groups is that a steady income is essential for their survival. He annual budget of the Toronto office, for example, equals that of a small company, with ever-increasing legal fees, rent and so on. To meet this financial, Don outlined a number of fundraising schemes and demonstrated how to sell the idea. All of those at his “ lesson” gained valuable information that can easily be utilized by local groups.

And so ended the second meeting of Campaign Life Ontario. The response of participants was extremely enthusiastic, and many expressed great eagerness in attending the next meeting in Toronto on July 12. The co-coordinators of this important conference are to be congratulated on putting together a well-organized, instructive meeting, where the input of all participants was gratefully received and valued. The exchange of ideas contributed to the success of the meeting as a springboard for future action.