Annual March for Life draws politicians, doctors, activists, and families
The B.C. Catholic
VICTORIA
Thousands of British Columbians joined in a nation-wide protest against abortion, assisted suicide, and euthanasia May 14.
About 2,700 people, including 575 students from Vancouver, marched down Government Street in Victoria and gathered on the lawn at the legislature buildings in Victoria.
“The legislature is your house, and what a beautiful day for a demonstration in favour of life,” said Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack – Hope.
It was the first time the annual March for Life had focused on more than the issue of abortion.
“The Supreme Court recently made a decision about life, about assisted suicide. I disagree with that decision, and like you, I feel very sad about it,” Throness told the massive crowd.
“I can’t change that decision. But what can I do? As an MLA, I have spoken and I will continue to speak for a provincial policy that protects the weak, the mentally ill, young people, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.”
Throness spoke in favour of protecting the conscience rights of medical professionals and making palliative care available for every B.C. resident.
“There is no legal appeal beyond the Supreme Court. We have to appeal to the Supreme Being, the One Who is mentioned in our constitution.”
He was not the only politician who supported the march. Marc Dalton, the MLA for Maple Ridge – Mission, told marchers he shared their concerns.
“I’m very disturbed how euthanasia has progressed and has been normalized in other jurisdictions like Belgium and the Netherlands.”
He said he supports initiatives such as doubling hospice beds and rejects making assisted suicide available to minors or people with mental illness.
Doctor Williard Johnston, the local head of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, made a strong appeal for legislation better than Bill C-14 to handle the questions of pain, depression, and dying.
“In my dream, the new law says that anyone in severe pain anywhere in Canada is treated like a cardiac arrest, an emergency which activates a team of specially trained people. Anyone who is depressed and suicidal, anywhere in Canada, is treated like a house on fire, with immediate attention,” he said.
“People who are trying to live independently with major disabilities are funded and equipped like a Canadian Olympic team should be. Families with children with disabilities are treated like royalty. Having a disability or having a family member with a disability guarantees you will be kept far above the poverty line, never below that line and forgotten in the economic ditch.”
He warned that by the Supreme Court’s June 6 deadline for a new law, this dream is unlikely to be realized.
“Instead, our great nation laboured and brought forth what? A legal excuse to protect a doctor or nurse from a murder charge, as long as they are under the opinion that you fit the right criteria before your death is inflicted.”
Speakers at the big pro-life rally also brought attention to the issue of abortion.
“Abortion and euthanasia have this in common: they have fed us the deadly lie that some lives are erasable,” said Joanna Krawczynski of National Campus Life Network.
“The tragic fruits of this lie are evident. Abortion claims the lives of about 280 children on average per day, here in our country. Further, suicide is at what some call ‘epidemic proportions’ among my peers. It is the second leading cause of death for 10- 24-year-olds.”
She encouraged the 2,700 parents, teens, children, politicians, and activists present to fight it with messages of love and hope in their communities.
“In this world that sheds innocent blood to mask the realities of despair and suffering, today we are living testimonies to hope and healing,” the young activist said.
“As pro-life people, we are saying ‘no’ to the false promises of this dying culture, because we want to say ‘yes’ to something far greater and far more beautiful. Ultimately, we give our ‘yes’ to love.”
Speakers also included LifeCanada’s Natalie Sonnen and Anna Nienhuis of the Association of Reformed Political Action. Mike Schouten shared details about WeNeedALaw’s efforts to enact the first pro-life law in Canada in nearly 30 years.
He said in 2014, Windsor resident Cassandra Kaake was seven months pregnant, expecting a daughter named Molly, when she was was brutally murdered and her home set on fire.
When police found the killer responsible, they could only lay one murder charge.
“Cassandra Kaake had chosen to carry her daughter to term. Someone brutally took that choice away. Her family, now left grieving the loss of two people, only receives justice for one.”
Cathay Wagantall, MP for Yorton – Melville, introduced Bill C-225, or Cassie and Molly’s law, Feb. 23. Schouten asked the marchers to support it.
The March for Life began with two Masses and a worship service before participants walked down Government Street with signs and balloons. A handful of counter-protesters appeared at the rally.
The March for Life also hit Edmonton, Fredericton, Halifax, Ottawa, St. John’s, and Winnipeg that day.
