mossrose
July 2nd 2008, 11:40 AM
OTTAWA - The naming of abortion-rights activist Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada is being met with both applause and outrage.
The Harper government was quick to distance itself from the decision.
"The Conservative government is not involved in either deliberations or decisions with respect to which individuals are appointed to the Order of Canada," said Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"Rideau Hall makes these appointments based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Order which is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada."
Morgentaler was instrumental in having the high court strike down Criminal Code restrictions on abortion on Jan. 28, 1988, making Canada the only western democracy with no criminal sanctions of any kind against abortion.
He is to be named at a later date as a member of the Order of Canada for both his health care and humanitarian work, said a statement posted Tuesday on the governor general's website.
"For his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations," the statement reads.
"He's literally saved the lives of thousands of women, I think, over the years." (Joyce Arthur, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada)
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2008/07/01/6036816-cp.html
I have never in my life been so ashamed to be a Canadian.
The Harper government was quick to distance itself from the decision.
"The Conservative government is not involved in either deliberations or decisions with respect to which individuals are appointed to the Order of Canada," said Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"Rideau Hall makes these appointments based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Order which is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada."
Morgentaler was instrumental in having the high court strike down Criminal Code restrictions on abortion on Jan. 28, 1988, making Canada the only western democracy with no criminal sanctions of any kind against abortion.
He is to be named at a later date as a member of the Order of Canada for both his health care and humanitarian work, said a statement posted Tuesday on the governor general's website.
"For his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations," the statement reads.
"He's literally saved the lives of thousands of women, I think, over the years." (Joyce Arthur, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada)
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2008/07/01/6036816-cp.html
I have never in my life been so ashamed to be a Canadian.