Out this morning from Conservative Stephen Woodworth, who represents the Ontario riding of Kitchener Centre:
MP Stephen Woodworth calls for another look at Canada’s 400 Year Old Law
A recent poll disclosed that 80% of Canadians believe that Canadian law protects the fundamental human rights of children before birth in the later stages of gestation.
In fact, the opposite is true. Canadian law provides no human rights protection whatsoever for children before the moment of complete birth. This results from an unusual Canadian statute which defines a human being as a child who has completely proceeded in a living state from the mother’s body, whether or not the child has breathed. This means that in Canada a child is legally considered to be sub-human while his or her little toe remains in the birth canal, even if he or she is breathing.
This law was first formulated prior to the seventeenth century, when an early version of it was recorded in Coke’s Institutes of Law. In those times, medical science and principles of human rights were not sufficiently advanced to challenge such a law.
The important question is whether this 400 year old Canadian law is supported by 21st century medical science and principles of human rights. Perhaps Canadians should at least examine this question. MP Stephen Woodworth proposes that Parliament has a responsibility to lead that examination.
His writing isnt that bad, sounds educated and thoughtful……just wish he would, like all other men, respect the fact that as distasteful abortion might be to some, women should control of thier reproduction…
We are witnessing the thin edge of the wedge
It’s too bad these politicians don’t have the time to concern themselves with the little ones living in poverty right now.
This government comes out with one negative after another!
It would be more sensible for our laws to give recognition of human rights at a later, rather than an earlier time. Making birth the critical factor makes little sense. Around age two, perhaps, would be the best time to bestow such rights. Before then, let the parents choose how they deal with the life form. Until it begins to show some signs of rationality, the parents should be free to deal with the product of their reproduction as they see fit.
Yes, I agree women should control their reproductive capabilities by ensuring they are engaging in responsible sex while in the married state without the use of pills and or condoms. That what a responsible women should do along with responsible men, as we know not all of us are responsible. Take a deep breath and consider the living child yet unborn in the womb and ask yourself would a responsible person take the life of a completely helpless child in the womb. This generation will have much to reflect on, we are the generation of the silent majority. Speak up and let your voices be heard before it is too late. Speak now and save a life of an unborn child.