The Morgentaler Decision

Dr. Henry Morgentaler: A True Canadian Hero Who Saved Countless Lives

admin — Wed, 29 May 2013 18:37:08 +0000

NATIONAL – Pro-choice people across the country are in deep mourning after the announcement of the death of Dr. Henry Morgentaler. The 90-year old retired doctor died peacefully at his Toronto home earlier this morning after a short illness.

“We are extremely saddened to hear of Henry’s passing and wish to express our deepest sympathies to his wife Arlene, Henry’s children, and the rest of his family and close friends,” said Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada.

“He was a true Canadian hero who saved countless lives,” Arthur said. “He devoted most of his life – at great personal sacrifice to himself – to securing a fundamental human right for women – the right to direct their own lives and destiny by controlling their fertility and bodies. Access to safe and legal abortion has reaped many benefits for Canadian women and society.”

“We will be forever grateful to Dr. Morgentaler for his wonderful courage and compassion, and the love and respect he showed to women throughout his life,” said Arthur, adding: “We will miss him terribly. But we vow to honour his memory and his life’s work by striving to improve women’s access to abortion services in Canada and reduce stigma.”

Dr. Morgentaler was the key figure in the battle to repeal Canada’s restrictive abortion law, culminating in a court victory on January 28, 1988, when the Supreme Court of Canada stuck down the law in its entirety. That case became known as the “Morgentaler decision” and today stands as one of Canada’s strongest legal precedents for the advancement of human rights. In honour of the 25^th anniversary of that historic decision, the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada dedicated a website in January to the anniversary and to Dr. Morgentaler’s life: www.morgentaler25years.ca.

http://www.arcc-cdac.ca/press/ARCC-CDAC-release-may29-13-english.pdf

New Democrats celebrate Dr. Morgentaler’s legacy

admin — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:56:18 +0000

Media Release, January 28, 2013

A woman’s right to choose must be protected

New Democrats celebrate Dr. Morgentaler’s legacy

OTTAWA – On the 25th anniversary of the landmark R. v. Morgentaler Supreme Court decision, New Democrats are reaffirming a deep commitment to protect women’s right to choose.

“Twenty-five years ago the Supreme Court decision defended a woman’s right to choose. New Democrats then and now are proud to have been a part of the fight for women’s reproductive rights,” said NDP Status of Women critic Niki Ashton (Churchill). “Canadians fought with determination and courage so that women will have a right to choose and we will not go backward.”

The NDP remains the only party in Parliament unanimously in favour of respecting a woman’s right to choose. Conservatives have repeatedly tried to subvert the Supreme Court ruling. Since 2006, Conservative Members of Parliament have introduced five regressive legislative initiatives attacking a woman’s right to choose. The most recent attack was in the form of Motion 312 that was supported by high profile Conservative Members of Parliament including the Minister for the Status of Women, Rona Ambrose.

“New Democrats will vote against any legislation that seeks to diminish women’s right to choose,” said NDP MP Marie-Claude Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe – Bagot). “We will continue to work to ensure that women’s rights, including reproductive rights are respected.”

Key readings on the Morgentaler decision and Canada’s abortion rights struggle

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:36:24 +0000

This article is cross-posted from Rabble.ca.

By Joyce Arthur

| February 4, 2013

On January 28, 2013, Canada celebrated 25 years of no abortion law. The Supreme Court of Canada threw out our criminal law in its entirety in 1988 because it violated women’s constitutional rights to bodily security, life, liberty, autonomy and conscience. I’ve put together the following selection of key works describing the history of the pro-choice campaign, the role of Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the Supreme Court decision, the benefits of having no abortion law, and some personal stories. Enjoy!

Books

Morgentaler: A Difficult Hero. By Catherine Dunphy. Random House, 2003. This book is considered the definitive biography of Dr. Morgentaler, one of Canada’s most controversial personalities. Dunphy gives us an honest and riveting portrait of the complicated, contradictory, but deeply caring man who turned into an unlikely champion for women.

Winning Choice on Abortion: How British Columbia and Canadian Feminists won the Battles of the 1970s and 1980s. By Ann Thomson. Trafford Publishing, 2004. Thomson pays tribute to the achievements of the women’s rights movement in establishing abortion rights. The book brings alive the struggle and the personalities of the many women who were instrumental in securing abortion rights, describing how they fought for “free abortion on demand” at a time when feminism and the idea of equality for women were still openly ridiculed in our society.

The anniversary and its history

Stories from the front lines of the abortion victory in Canada. By Judy Rebick. rabble.ca, January 25, 2013. Canada’s foremost feminist Judy Rebick got her start helping women access abortions. Rebick reminisces about the founding of the (illegal) Toronto Morgentaler clinic in 1982, working with Henry, fighting off anti-choice fanatics, building a movement with strong public support, and savouring the victory of January 28, 1988.

Twenty-five years on: How we won abortion rights. By Carolyn Egan. rabble.ca, January 23, 2013. Carolyn Egan, a founding member of the Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics in 1982, describes how the campaign to overturn the abortion law was situated in the broader context of reproductive freedom for all, including birth control services in peoples’ own language and community, decent jobs, paid parental leave, childcare, the right to live freely and openly regardless of their sexuality, employment equity, and an end to forced or coerced sterilization. When the Supreme Court finally overturned the abortion law in 1988, it was a collective victory that came from the strength of a large and broad-based movement.

Historical Morgentaler decision marks 25th anniversary. CBC’s The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti, January 28, 2013. This excellent 24-minute podcast features Carolyn Egan and Morris Manning, Dr. Morgentaler’s lawyer from the 1988 Supreme Court case. Egan relates some of the history and strategies behind the campaign to overturn the law, while Manning discusses the profound and positive impact of the Morgentaler decision on subsequent Charter rights cases in Canada. Former Tory Justice Minister Doug Lewis also talks about the backroom and parliamentary efforts to recriminalize abortion that followed the decision.

The battle for the right to an abortion was hard fought. Let’s protect the rights we’ve earned. By Vicki Saporta. Vancouver Sun, January 28, 2013. The President and CEO of National Abortion Federation Canada provides a concise history of abortion rights in Canada, including the application and negative effects of the previous abortion law, Dr. Morgentaler’s struggle, and the importance of the Supreme Court victory for women’s lives and health.

Why decriminalizing abortion is a good thing

The Benefits of Decriminalizing Abortion. By Joyce Arthur and Jane Cawthorne. 25th Anniversary Celebration website, January 2013. After 25 years without an abortion law, Canada is the first country in the world to prove that abortion care can be ethically and effectively managed as part of standard healthcare practice, without being controlled by any civil or criminal law. Women and Canadian society are reaping the benefits of decriminalization, and Canada’s experience should be a role model for other countries considering legal reform around abortion.

The Morgentaler decision is 25 years old. By Laura Wershler. Troy Media, January 29, 2013. The author compares the situation from five years ago at the 20th anniversary, to today. In 2008 she had written that “All things considered, it appears the decision made 20 years ago today by the Supreme Court of Canada was wise, just and worthy of Canadians.” Five years later, she stands by this conclusion.

Personal stories

Henry Morgentaler’s Supreme Court win a landmark for abortion rights. By Heather Mallick. Toronto Star, Jan 27 2013. Mallick salutes her friend Henry Morgentaler, who in 1988 seemed like the “bravest man on earth” to her, and today is still a “joy to spend time with.” She urges us to celebrate the anniversary by looking back to that day in 1988 and counting our blessings, reminding us that “Dr. Morgentaler’s battle gave you a boarding pass on a flight to the destination you seek, the life you want. He gave you a ticket to freedom.”

A Bad Law and A Bold Woman. By The Regina Mom, January 28, 2013. This popular blogger draws you in with a fascinating personal account of her experience with an unplanned pregnancy and the challenges of trying to get an abortion in Saskatchewan in 1985, during the days of Therapeutic Abortion Committees. (An excerpt from an essay-in-progress.)

Happy 25th Anniversary R. v. Morgentaler! By Yee Lee. We Talk Women, January 27, 2013. Yee Lee once had an abortion, and once worked as a nurse in an abortion clinic, but shied away from talking about either. In this article, she shares thoughts about her personal journey and the values of open and respectful dialogue, honesty and trust with ourselves and others, and our personal autonomy to make the best health choices.

The anniversary in today’s context

25 years after Morgentaler, struggle continues to defend and expand the reproductive rights of women. By Rebel Youth. Rebel Youth Magazine, February 1, 2013. This article details the current attacks on abortion rights and provides a comprehensive roundup of news and views on the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Morgentaler decision, even while the fight continues to defend and expand reproductive rights.

25 Years after R. v. Morgentaler: Where does the law go from here? By Not Guilty, and Peggy. Abortion Gang, January 28, 2013. The two blog authors each contribute a piece describing some of the access hurdles that women still face in Canada when trying to obtain an abortion. Their answers to the question of where to go from here include fighting for a positive law that ensures access to abortion without shame or barriers, and harnessing the power of young, grassroots activists who believe a better world is possible.

Bonus videos!

A 25th-anniversary event held in Toronto on January 28 proved to be an inspiring and landmark event, with five excellent speakers. Carolyn Egan brought down the house with a standing ovation, but all the talks are highly recommended.

- Carolyn Egan shares her experiences and the dynamic history of the campaign for reproductive rights.

- Judy Rebick reminisces about Henry and the growth of the pro-choice movement.

- Michele Landsberg (former Toronto Star columnist) reads from some of her writings and lampoons the men who thought they could rule over women’s rights.

- Angela Robertson (Women’s College Hospital) talks about anti-abortion by stealth, and how she found the movement.

- Jillian Bardsley (Medical Students for Choice Toronto) shares a young medical student’s view on abortion training and provision in Canada, and what students are doing about it.

Joyce Arthur is the founder and Executive Director of Canada’s national pro-choice group, the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC), which protects the legal right to abortion on request and works to improve access to quality abortion services.

R v. Morgentaler, 25 Years Later

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 06:41:36 +0000

by Todd Aalgard, Torontoist, January 30, 2013

Key figures in the trial of Henry Morgentaler reflect on the evolution of social justice in Canada.

Read the full article here.

Must-watch video: how canadian women won abortion rights and what we must do to keep them

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:06:37 +0000

wmtc, February 1, 2013

This week I attended an inspiring event co-sponsored by Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics and University of Toronto Medical Students for Choice: a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Morgentaler decision, which legalized abortion in Canada. Innis Hall was packed to the rafters, with people listening in the hallway, unable to fit in the room.

Read the full post here

Watch the videos from the Toronto event, held on January 28, 2013:

25 years after Morgentaler, struggle continues to defend and expand the reproductive rights of women

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:01:57 +0000

Rebel Youth, February 1, 2013

In the same week as women and men celebrate the 25th anniversary of the historic Morgentaler decision which decriminalized abortion in Canada, a group of right-wing Harper Conservative MPs want to push women’s reproductive rights back into the dark ages.

Read the full article here.

Pro-Choice Group Marches to Premier’s Office

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:00:27 +0000

by Teresa Wright, The Guardian (PEI), January 28, 2013

A small group of women marched to the premier’s office in Charlottetown this morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the decriminalization of abortion and to call for abortions to be made available in P.E.I.

Read the full article here.

Abortion barriers still exist in Sask. 25 years after historic ruling

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:12:29 +0000

CBC News, January 28, 2013

Monday marks 25 years since the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the country’s abortion law, but in Saskatchewan access to the procedure remains uneven.

Read the full article here.

The Morgentaler decision is 25 years old

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:58:00 +0000

by Laura Wershler, Troy News, January 29, 2013

Canada is the first country in the world to prove that abortion care can be ethically and effectively managed as part of standard healthcare practice, without being controlled by any civil or criminal law.

Read the full article here.

Media Mornings Interview with Joyce Arthur

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:06:17 +0000

Host Jane Bouey interviews Joyce Arthur on Vancouver Co-op Radio show Media Mornings, January 28, 2013.

Podcast link here.