LifeSiteNews.com
Wednesday May 17, 2006
Unborn Victims of Violence Bill Proposed in Canadian Parliament by Conservative MP
By John-Henry Westen
OTTAWA, May 17, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Conservative MP Leon Benoit introduced in Parliament today a bill to recognize unborn victims of violence. Bill C-291, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (injuring or causing the death of a child before or during its birth while committing an offence), saw first reading today.
Speaking to the bill, Mr. Benoit said, "Current laws protect women who are victims of violence, or at least they are meant to do that, however if a woman makes a choice to keep her child there is no protection under current law for that unborn child."
Benoit recalled a horrific incident where an unborn child was the target of a violent crime along with his mother but the perpetrator received no penalty for his murder of the unborn child. "Olivia Talbot, a young woman from Edmonton with her whole life ahead of her, had chosen to keep her child and raise a family," recalled Benoit. "An ex-boyfriend brutally shot and killed her and then shot and killed her unborn child."
Benoit concluded: "This bill would make it a separate offence to kill or injure an unborn child while committing a violent crime against its mother. I look forward to support from all parties for this bill."
This is an amazing thing. This is possibly the first pro-life bill ever introduced in Canada. Certainly in the last 15 years.(don't quote me on that). I would ask all believers to pray for this bill. Because frankly, I don't think this bill has much of a chance. It's a private members' bill. They rarely come up for a vote unless the government supports it. I don't think the Harper will risk bringing his government down over this. But I'd be really curious to see how the votes would stack up and how the public would react.
Please email Leon Benoit and let him know you approve. Even if you're not Canadian. It's nice to know people are on your side. Spread the news!
