National Post (National Edition)
Sex-selective abortion should be banned
COMMIT TO PLACING... SECURITY OF CANADA ABOVE PARTISAN POLITICS. — DAVIES
Abortion should not be used for sex selection. Canadians have consistently shown a dislike for the practice of sex-selective abortion, a process by which abortions are chosen based on the gender of the fetus, and a newly released poll shows that they are more likely to vote for a political party that takes a position against the misogynistic practice.
The polling group One Persuades found that political parties have much to gain when it comes to supporting a law against sex-selective abortion.
According to the poll, 52 per cent of Canadians would be more likely to vote for a party that opposed sex-selective abortions, while only 10 per cent said they would be less likely.
Surprisingly, the numbers were highest among Bloc Québécois supporters, with 61 per cent of them responding that they would support restricting this form of abortion. Even among Liberal voters, a majority said they support taking action against sex-selective abortions, with 51 per cent answering yes to the question, “Would you be more likely to vote for a political party that promised to legally restrict sex-selective abortion in Canada?”
It is not surprising that broad support exists to address this injustice. Sex-selective abortion makes victims of women of every age — the girls not yet born who lose their lives, as well as the women who suffer the indirect consequences of gender inequality. Equality between the sexes is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, so it's only natural that Canadians would want our laws to prohibit the discriminatory practice of sex-selective abortion. We cannot as a country claim to strive for gender equality while ignoring discrimination that occurs at the earliest stages of life.
It's time for our politicians to ensure this strong public opinion is reflected in law by supporting Bill C-233, the sex selective abortion act, which was introduced by Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall earlier this year. In the broader conversation about abortion in Canada, the point Parliament needs to make here is very specific: sex-selective abortion flouts our commitment to equality and is not permissible in a society that advocates for the equal treatment of both sexes.
As the recent poll shows, opposition to sex-selective abortion unites Canadians across party lines. Therefore, the group We Need a Law is calling on all feminist and gender equality groups to join us in condemning the use of abortion for sex selection. While we may differ on our stance toward abortion, we should still be able to stand side-by-side against sex-selective abortion, as we all have an interest in standing against gender inequality.
Canadians are also united with many health-care providers in the desire to pass Bill C-233. The Canadian Medical Association Journal has published studies on this issue, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, along with Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia's colleges of physicians and surgeons, acted by issuing guidelines stating that ultrasounds should not be conducted for non-medical purposes, including for fetal sex determination. Canada's health-care profession has shown that it is concerned about this process and has taken steps to discourage it. It's now time for politicians to act.
Sex-selective abortions cannot simply be explained away as a symptom of sexism, and it won't be stopped by generic gender equality educational initiatives. It needs to be addressed head on. The One Persuades poll shows that supporting this bill is politically advantageous. That, combined with the fact that it is in line with Canadian values, should influence Parliament's upcoming debate on Bill C-233. Canadians want — and need — a law declaring that sex-selective abortion is wrong. We expect our government to act accordingly.