ABORTION A Briefing Book for Canadian Legislators NATIONAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE Campaign Life Coalition Suite 100, 1355 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3C2 Phone (613) 729-0379 Fax (613) 729-7611 Updated July 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS WHEN DOES LIFE BEGIN?......................................................................... 1:1 Conception (Fertilization).................................................................................. 1:1 Scientific Testimony ......................................................................................... 1:2 Supporting References........................................................................ 1:5 FETAL DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................. 2:1 Fetology............................................................................................................ 2:1 The First 15 Days of Life .................................................................................. 2:2 Six to Eight weeks of Prenatal Development.................................................... 2:4 Ninth Week to Birth .......................................................................................... 2:5 Fetal Pain ......................................................................................................... 2:6 Supporting References........................................................................ 2:9 HOW ARE ABORTIONS PERFORMED? .................................................... 3:1 Suction Aspiration ............................................................................................ 3:1 Menstrual Extraction......................................................................................... 3:2 Dilation and Curettage (D & C)......................................................................... 3:2 Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)......................................................................... 3:2 Dilation and Extraction (D&X) Partial Birth Abortion .................................... 3:2 Saline Abortion ................................................................................................. 3:3 Fetal Reduction or Selective Reduction............................................................ 3:3 Prostaglandin Abortion ..................................................................................... 3:4 Hysterotomy ..................................................................................................... 3:4 Abortifacient or Morning After Pills ................................................................... 3:4 Supporting References........................................................................ 3:8 COMPLICATIONS OF ABORTION.............................................................. 4:1 Physical Complications..................................................................................... 4:1 Reproductive Health......................................................................................... 4:2 Breast Cancer .................................................................................................. 4:3 Psychological Complications............................................................................ 4:5 Post-Abortion Syndrome .................................................................................. 4:5 Supporting References........................................................................ 4:8 ABORTION TO PROTECT THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF THE MOTHER..... 5:1 Life of the Mother ............................................................................................. 5:1 Health of the Mother......................................................................................... 5:3 A Matter of Choice............................................................................................ 5:3 Mental Health ................................................................................................... 5:5 Maternal Suicide............................................................................................... 5:6 Supporting References........................................................................ 5:8 ABORTION FOR RAPE OR INCEST........................................................... 6:1 Rape................................................................................................................. 6:1 Incest................................................................................................................ 6:3 Supporting References........................................................................ 6:5 ABORTION AND EUGENICS....................................................................... 7:1 Prenatal Screening........................................................................................... 7:1 Amniocentesis.................................................................................................. 7:1 Chorionic Villi Sampling.................................................................................... 7:2 Alphafetoprotein (AFP)..................................................................................... 7:2 Ultrasound Screening....................................................................................... 7:3 Selective Feticide ............................................................................................. 7:4 Artificial Sex Selection...................................................................................... 7:4 Supporting References........................................................................ 7:6 ABORTION MYTHS...................................................................................... 8:1 Abortion and Child Abuse................................................................................. 8:1 "Wanted" or "Unwanted"................................................................................... 8:1 Illegal Abortions................................................................................................ 8:2 Legal Abortion is Safe Abortion ........................................................................ 8:2 Abortion and Crime Reduction ........................................................................ 8:4 Medically Necessary ........................................................................................ 8:5 Overpopulation ................................................................................................. 8:7 Underpopulation ............................................................................................... 8:9 Forced Abortion.............................................................................................. 8:10 Supporting References...................................................................... 8:12 ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION ................................................................ 9:1 Crisis Pregnancy Counselling........................................................................... 9:1 Birthright........................................................................................................... 9:1 Maternity Homes .............................................................................................. 9:1 Adoption ........................................................................................................... 9:3 HISTORY OF ABORTION LAW AND COURT CASES IN CANADA........ 10:1 Early Abortion Laws ....................................................................................... 10:1 The Harley Committee and the Omnibus Bill.................................................. 10:2 Badgely Committee ........................................................................................ 10:4 Mitges Motion ................................................................................................. 10:5 The Morgentaler Decision ............................................................................. 10:5 Haidasz Bill..................................................................................................... 10:6 1988 Government Motion............................................................................... 10:6 The Borowski Challenge................................................................................. 10:6 Daigle Case.................................................................................................... 10:8 Government Bill C-43 ..................................................................................... 10:9 Supreme Court Decision in Sullivan/Lemay v. the Queen........................... 10:10 The Drummond Case .................................................................................. 10:11 The Manitoba “Glue-Sniffing” Case .............................................................. 10:12 Other Court Cases ....................................................................................... 10:13 ATTEMPTS AT INTRODUCING ABORTION-RELATED LEGISLATION. 11:1 Following the 1993 Federal Election .............................................................. 11:2 Following the 1997 Federal Election .............................................................. 11:3 Following the 2001 Federal Election .............................................................. 11:4 Senator Stanley Haidasz................................................................................ 11:4 Senator Raymond Perrault............................................................................. 11:5 INDEX……………………………………………………………………………...11:i