Only half of the issue addressed at U of T’s abortion symposium
Karen
Article By Theresa Matters
On March 23, 2008 am31 11:50 am In Pro-life Groups, Youth Activism
On Jan. 25, professionals and students gathered at the University of
Toronto for a day to mark the 20th anniversary of the R. v.
Morgentaler decision in 1988. The symposium, entitled, “Of What
Difference: Reflections on the Judgement and Abortion in Canada
Today,” was a collaborative effort by the International Reproductive
and Sexual Health Law Program at the Faculty of Law, the University of
Toronto, and the National Abortion Federation. As well, there was
support from the Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy. The
purpose of the day was to examine the significance of the Supreme
Court judgement in 1988 and answer the question: what difference has
it made to women, providers and the politics of abortion in Canada 20
years later?
There were less than 100 in attendance, and a good number of those
were pro-life supporters. Despite the clash in beliefs, the day went
on without any disturbances, although security personnel were manning
their posts.
The opening remarks included a welcome by Henry Morgentaler, who
claimed that Canada is a “kinder and gentler place for women” because
they can make choices about their reproductive health. Access to
abortion at his private abortion facilities affirm the dignity and
equality of women in Canada, he claimed. Morgentaler ushered in a well-
worn phrase, “Every mother a willing mother. Every child a wanted
child” and continued to claim that abortion has helped to create a
society where “people can realize their full potential.” He set the
stage for a day in which only half of the abortion issue would be
discussed – the focus was on the rights of women, with virtually no
mention of the unborn child.
Professor Shelley Gavigan, from Osgoode Hall Law School, came the
closest to tackling the issue of what she referred to as “the
discourse of the unborn fetus” and tried to dismiss it as a pro-life
ideology. She recognized that the pro-life movement frames a lot of
its arguments in terms of fetal rights. For the “pro-choice” movement
to engage properly, it should follow suit, but always by showing that
the “pregnant woman and the unborn child speak with one voice and that
voice is hers.” Otherwise, what a pro-life advocate recognizes as an
unborn human being, speakers during the day referred to it as
“products of abortion” and “tissue.” The humanity of the unborn was a
non-issue.
Toronto MP Carolyn Bennett spoke of her work as a politician and the
politics of abortion. She demonstrated very clearly her thoughts on
what the role of an MP should be. She shared of a time when one of her
constituents voiced his concern that she was not representing the
majority of her constituents who are pro-life. She dismissed the fact
it could even be true, but went on to say that even if the person was
correct, she must “do what I know is best with what I know.” She
explained that legislators are leaders, not followers, and they must
“serve national interest, not simply the interest of their own
constituency.” As she continued, she stated that “no legislator should
ever be forced to vote against their conscience on ethical and moral
matters.”
This, however, did not stop Bennett from criticizing pro-life
politicians and their supporters who have brought up and supported pro-
life bills. Pro-life MPs are apparently exempt from being allowed to
vote with their consciences because “human rights are not subject to
majority rule in a democracy,” according to Bennett.
A general sentiment regarding abortion can sometimes be summed up as
the desire to have abortion made “safe, legal and rare.” However, it
was made quite clear at the symposium that “rare” was not on the radar
anymore. The latest figures from Statistics Canada show over 100,000
women underwent an abortion in 2004. The speakers frequently spoke
about the importance of accessibility and bemoaned the fact that so
many women actually cannot have an abortion as easily or affordably as
others depending on various factors. This was seen as a grave
violation of their human rights.
Sheila Dunn, from the Bay Centre for Birth Control, who is also a
professor at the University of Toronto and family physician at Women’s
College Hospital, spoke about the dilemma geography poses to
accessible to abortion. It was pointed out that only Ontario and
Quebec have physicians who will perform abortions past 20 weeks
gestation. She also lamented the fact that Prince Edward Island does
not provide abortion services and that New Brunswick only funds
abortions committed in hospitals.
Dunn closed her session with a few suggestions to increase access to
abortion in Canada. She suggested removing the condition for a
physician referral to an abortion provider. There should be
encouragement for family doctors in northern and rural communities to
provide medical abortions. And finally, the abortion drug RU-486
should be approved without restrictions, she said.
Professor Sanda Rodgers from the Faculty of Law at the University of
Ottawa followed Dunn and reiterated the frustration with supposed
barriers to access. She explained that “despite the Morgentaler
decision, all barriers are still in place, including wait times and
limited access.” Rodgers claimed that “women are just as likely to get
an abortion whether it is legal or outlawed” and thus the lack of
accessibility is unsafe for women.
Another concern brought up during the day was the fact that medical
students and doctors are less interested in doing abortions. This, of
course, was presented as a serious problem for women who are seeking
an abortion. Dr. Pat Smith, from Grand River Hospital in Kitchener,
Ont., spoke of her concern that there is less exposure to abortion
training in medical schools. She attributed this to the fact that
abortion education is seen as too controversial for medical schools to
teach. Smith said she would like to see more pressure on medical
schools to address this issue.
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