Poilievre would table bill to promote adoption if elected prime minister, says letter

‘I believe focusing on bills that promote adoption and help pregnant women through crises would do greater good,’ writes Poilievre, who cites his own adoption story as inspiration. The Conservative leader, born to a 16-year-old who could not raise him, was adopted by two school teachers.

Alex Dhaliwal
  |   October 03, 2024   |   News   |   Be the first to comment

A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would promote adoption over restricting abortion access, reads a letter to a pro-life group.

Poilievre, in a letter dated September 11, wrote to Dan Plemel of Campaign Life Coalition that he would promote adoption and help pregnant women in crisis as prime minister. 

That will contribute to a “greater good” more than prohibiting abortion, reads the letter, obtained by The Epoch Times.

Poilievre wrote in response to a September 6 letter by Plemel, whom he accused of being pro-choice for political expediency. The MP iterated his intention to maintain this status quo.

The Conservative leader will not push to outlaw abortions, a spokesperson told Epoch Times. “A Conservative Government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion,” Skamski wrote in an emailed statement.

Instead, Poilievre intends to table legislation that will help pregnant women and the organizations who provide them critical services, Skamski confirmed.

“I believe focusing on bills that promote adoption and help pregnant women through crises would do greater good,” writes Poilievre, who cites his own adoption story as inspiration.

The Conservative leader was born to a 16-year-old who could not raise him. He was later adopted by two school teachers.

“One of the most beautiful gifts anyone can give, in fact, the greatest gift I’ve ever been given was for my parents to adopt me,” Poilievre said. 

“I do not believe abortion should be the only option available to women faced with an unexpected pregnancy,” he added.

Pete Baklinski, a spokesperson for Campaign Life Coalition, told Epoch Times the support for pregnant women is admirable but falls short of “justice for the pre-born.”

He contends that pro-abortion policies have contributed to Canada’s declining fertility rate of 1.26 births per woman, a record low. It dropped 5% between 2021 and 2022, according to Statistics Canada. 

“Our government must intervene to avert population collapse by passing pro-family policies and creating incentives for families to have more children,” Baklinski said. 

The Tory leader wrote that pro-life Canadians are welcome in the “big tent” Conservative Party, which he praised for its “tradition of free votes of conscience.”

“We’re glad that pro-life advocates are still permitted to run as candidates in the Conservative Party,” Baklinski said. “This is something the Liberal Party has not permitted for a decade, making the entire Liberal Party pro-abortion,” he added.

The governing Liberal Party has repeatedly accused the Tories of being anti-abortion, going so far as to suggest Poilievre would use the notwithstanding clause to ban the medical procedure earlier this year.

In May, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland claimed the Conservative Party opposes abortion access. “He would pick which rights people have. ... This is deeply concerning,” Freeland said.

Minister for Women Marci Ien joined the fray, claiming Conservatives would roll back abortion access. The Tories dismissed the claims.

A July 31 committee hearing ended in controversy after a Liberal MP shut down testimony from domestic violence survivors to debate abortion instead.

The status of women committee returned for an emergency meeting during the summer recess to discuss rising violent crime against women. StatsCan showed an uptick in crimes such as sexual assault.

Liberal and NDP MPs quickly pivoted discussions to abortion, denying testimony from several survivors. Opposition MPs expressed their disgust over the ordeal.

Conservative attempts to protect women from violence have been blocked by Liberal and NDP MPs in the past.

Last June 14, the Liberal and NDP caucuses voted against a bill specifically protecting pregnant women from violence. Bill C-311, ​​the Violence Against Pregnant Women Act, failed the Second Reading in a 205-113 vote in the Commons.

Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall, the bill’s sponsor, claimed each party “voted to enable attackers.”

Bill C-311 aimed to stiffen penalties for abuse endured by pregnant women causing physical or emotional harm. Violent offenders would have received harsher sentences for assaulting a pregnant woman if passed.

The Liberal and NDP caucuses suggested the bill attacked abortion rights. MP Wagantall said it “has nothing to do with abortion.”

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