Most pro-life Canadians have accepted the idea that they are a minority in Canada, that their views are not shared by most other Canadians. LifeCanada, in conjunction with Canada’s provincial pro-life groups and Physicians for Life, conducted in October its second annual poll on life issues. The results contradict that view, and the findings will assist pro-life groups in our ongoing work of educating Canadians on these critical issues.

Leger Marketing, which conducted the survey, is a nationally known polling company with a good reputation. They conduct this Omnican poll twice a month, asking Canadians about a variety of issues.

When Does Life Begin?

On our first question, “In your view, when did your own life begin?” almost a third, 32%, said their life began at conception, 12% said between conception and birth, 26% said at birth, and 22% said their life began after birth. Women were more likely to say their life began at conception.

Legal Protection for the Unborn

On the question of when the law should protect human life, 63% of Canadians said there should be some protection before birth in contrast to the current situation in which there is no protection for babies in the womb. Thirty-one per cent favoured protection from conception on, 21% said from three months on, and 11% said after six months of pregnancy. Last year when we asked the identical question, 56% said there should be protection before birth. That is an astonishing increase in one year. We can speculate on the reasons for the increase — the public debate about stem cell research and legislative initiatives in the US to ban partial birth abortions and to protect unborn victims of violence — but we should use the results to focus on the issue of protecting the unborn and the appalling lack of human rights for these most vulnerable children.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

We asked about embryonic stem cell research in a lengthy question that summarized the key issues surrounding the issue. “Legislation is now before Parliament that would allow medical research using stem cells from human embryos. This research would involve the destruction of the embryos used. Stem cell research using other sources such as adult tissue or umbilical cord blood does not involve loss of life or other harm.” Respondents were then given three options to choose from. We thought it was crucial to include the fact that the research results in the destruction of the embryo. That is the crux of the debate. If human lives were not destroyed, who would oppose this research?

A plurality, 37%, said it would be preferable to use the ethical alternatives to embryonic stem cells and another 33% said it was not acceptable to destroy embryos for research. This means 70% do not support the government’s position on Bill C-13 which allows embryonic stem cell research. LifeCanada released the results of this question just days before the House of Commons voted to approve Bill C-13. Eight journalists and several MPs attended our media conference but only one French newspaper actually reported it. The Senate did not pass that bill before the Prime Minister prorogued Parliament, so for the moment, the bill is not law.

Quebec respondents, usually considered the most pro-choice in Canada, were most opposed (38%) to the use of embryos for this research.

Informed Consent

Over two-thirds, 69%, of Canadians would support laws that require doctors to inform abortion-minded women about fetal development including an ultrasound, complications and side effects, and alternatives to abortion. Students and young people between the ages of 18 and 24 were most likely to support such laws.

Parental Notification/Consent

Thirty-five percent of Canadians say parents should be notified, and an additional 32% say parents should be notified and give their consent before a minor can obtain an abortion. Once again, over two-thirds of Canadians polled do not agree with the current policy in this country in which minors can have abortions without parental notification or consent.

Funding for Abortion

Finally, we asked about tax-funded abortion. Fifteen percent of Canadians said abortions should be paid for privately and not through the tax-funded system, the same result as last year; and 53% said it should only be paid for by taxpayers in medical emergencies or in the case of rape or incest. Only 25% think abortion should always be paid for by taxpayers. Right now, most abortions, and all of those in hospitals, are paid for through the publicly funded system even though 68% of Canadians object.

Importance of Polling on Life Issues

The poll is important because it dispels the notion that Canadians support abortion. It contradicts other polls, specifically on the issue of stem cell research. If the question includes detailed information, as ours did, Canadians respond differently. And if we ask the questions repeatedly, as we have with legal protection for the unborn and de-insuring, we can measure changes in public opinion. The results tell us that how we frame the issue — protection of human life versus women’s right to choose — is crucial. We must use these results to shape our message in the public square.

Pro-Life View is the Popular View

The Leger poll encourages pro-life people that we are neither outside the mainstream nor are we imposing our “unpopular” views on mainstream society. On each of these issues, the majority or plurality supports us. Our governments, federal and provincial, are imposing a minority position on the population. We need to point that out to our elected officials and those in our communities.

Yorkton-Melville MP Garry Breitkreuz, who has brought several pro-life motions to Parliament over the past ten years, reflected the view of many pro-life MPs when he said, “This is the most encouraging news the pro-life movement has had in a long time. My colleagues on the Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus will be discussing ways to advance the legislative agenda based on these new poll results.”

Spread the Good News!

And it is up to each of us to get that message out. Both print and broadcast media have ignored our media releases. In addition to the above-mentioned story, two letters-to-the- editor, one in Saskatchewan and one in BC, are the only mention of the poll. These letters were written by local pro-life leaders and quoted the poll results on stem cell research. If people in every community take our media release (www.lifecanada.org) and adapt it as a letter for the local paper, or quote from it on radio talk shows, or send it to MPs or MLAs, our message will get out. It will spread slowly, quietly, one community at a time, but it will get out. So get your pens out or dial that talk show and spread this good news!

We depend on you!

Joanne Byfield is the Alberta representative on LifeCanada’s board of directors.