Press Room

TORONTO, Aug. 28 2008 - Campaign Life Coalition, the political arm of the pro-life movement in Canada, is releasing the names of 105 Members of Parliament who have come out publicly against the nomination of abortionist Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada. Also listed are 35 MPs who have publicly come out in support of Morgentaler's nomination.
The list of those opposed to the Morgentaler appointment includes MPs from all political parties represented in the House of Commons except for the NDP.
Campaign Life Coalition surveyed all MPs on the matter, making numerous attempts to reach each MP in the nation. Well over half the MPs responded to the survey.
Even though he did not respond to the CLC survey, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper was one of the first politicians to speak out against the nomination of Morgentaler, as divisive. Only one day after the official announcement of the award, Mr. Harper made unusually frank comments expressing his displeasure with the selection.
"It's not a decision of the government of Canada," Mr. Harper said at a press conference. He added: "The Order of Canada - these decisions are made independently of the government. That said, I guess my preference, to be frank, would be to see the Order of Canada be something that really unifies, that brings Canadians together."
"This has been the most divisive appointment to the Order since its inception in 1967" says Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC). CLC re-iterates its request to the Prime Minister that the government set up a special committee to review the nominations with a view to ensuring this never re-occurs." Our survey of 157,165 households across Canada revealed that 56% of the 13,324 who responded, did not agree with the appointment.
The results of that effort - the list of names and responses are available on LifeSiteNews.com

For further information: Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition is available for comment. He can be reached at (416) 204-9749