This 'rabid anti-choicer' prefers honest debate
By Jakki Jeffs

This Letter to the Editor appeared in The Ottawa Citizen, January 25, 2006.

Columnist Shelley Page probably would incorrectly describe me as a "rabid anti-choicer," but what I and others like me actually are is pro-life.

Historically, when people can't refute the truth of an opponent's message, they attack the opponent in an effort to discredit the message. Hence "rabid anti-choicer" rather than pro-lifer.

What I and thousands of others believe is that our society, which claims to have zero tolerance for violence, should actually serve pregnant women's needs rather than offering to kill their unborn children. Many women who seek abortions feel pressured or coerced to do so by their boyfriends. We want more practical and financial support for women coping with unexpected pregnancies. We want their children protected by our Constitution from the moment of conception. We want mother- and child-friendly adoption strategies.

We want men held responsible for the children they beget and the women they abandon. We want parents supported in their right to be involved in the health-care decisions of their minor daughters. We want our youths educated and equipped to postpone sexual activity. We want girls and women to be fully informed about abortion procedures, complications and alternatives. If that sounds rabid, well so be it.

It sounds rabid to say that abortion is severely limited when one in every four pregnancies in Canada ends in abortion (105,000 annually). And to imply that abortion can be a choice while it is also considered medically necessary. It definitely sounds rabid to imply that provinces should not dictate which elective health services should be insured. Induced abortion is obviously elective, or am I not defining "choice" correctly?

Rabid anti-choicer that I am, I would still prefer honest debate and discussion if the pro-choicers would have the courage to come to the table. Maybe with more "rabid anti-choicers" in the halls of our government the opportunity to discuss the plight of Canada's abandoned pregnant women will be given greater attention and practical and supportive ways found to help them.

Jakki Jeffs is the Executive Director of Alliance for Life Ontario and is on the Past-President of LifeCanada.  This letter to the editor first appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 and is reprinted with permission.