Norton begins his rebuttal:The report makes numerous claims that are not based in fact or reality. The following are some blatant examples (before we discuss the most serious allegations).The report alleges the Birthright drop-in centre in Vernon, British Columbia, shows graphic videos to clients. “When women have gone to the local Birthright office, some have had to wait an hour and a half before being given a pregnancy test, during which time they were put into a room to watch anti-abortion videos like the ‘Silent Scream’” (p. 11).13 On doing a fact check with Birthright headquarters, I learned there is no Birthright in Vernon and there never has been.14The report continues: “[In Powell River the Prolife Society] … houses one of the fundamentalist Christian CPCs that uses high pressure techniques and is connected to the larger network of North American CPCs” (p. 11). There is in fact no CPC in Powell River and there never has been.15The report makes statements about other non-existent centres in BC (pp. 45-46).
16 One so-called CPC is a secular parenting support group. Another CPC is actually a Christian adoption agency.Another purported CPC is somebody’s home. For two other listed CPCs the premises do not exist.17
The report not only refers to non-existent pregnancy centres in our province, but everywhere.There are 117 CPCs in Canada.18 The report nearly doubles this to “about 200 CPCs” (p. 3).
Run with Life has more.
