It’s becoming more and more apparent that politicians who call themselves “pro-choice” are, in truth, staunchly “pro-abortion.” They refuse to tolerate any perspective that doesn’t support abortion-on-demand, unconditionally. Take our own “pro-choice” Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as a prime example. The Trudeau government recently announced a policy that requires pregnancy counseling charities to disclose whether they offer abortion services or referrals. (Is it really any surprise that, in most cases, they don’t?)
By forcing policies that could threaten the charitable status of these organizations, Trudeau and his pro-abortion advocates are putting at risk essential services for women—services that may be the lifeline for those feeling pressured into an abortion they don’t truly want.
Here’s a hard truth that doesn’t get enough attention: abortion is, all too often, a service for males. All too frequently, a man coerces a woman into an abortion she may not want in order to escape the responsibilities of child-rearing and support. In fact, a lack of support from an unborn baby’s father is one of the most common reasons women feel pressured into aborting their offspring, unaware of the alternatives offered by the pregnancy care centers that Trudeau is so intent on attacking.
To put it in “progressive” terms, abortion is thus “a tool of the patriarchy.” How would our self-described “feminist” Prime Minister feel about that?
Surely women in Alberta deserve alternatives to abortion. And yet, our current UCP government continues to enforce NDP-era bubble zones, restricting life-affirming options outside abortion facilities. These zones ban compassionate individuals from offering support, advice, and alternatives to abortion-minded women. Now, Trudeau wants to take things a step further by revoking the charitable status of groups that dare to support women and their babies, wherever they may be.
By raising the issue of abortion in high-stakes political moments (like turmoil in leadership,) Trudeau is seeking to shift the focus away from his own challenges and create internal conflict within the Conservative Party, where pro-life, ambivalent, and even pro-choice factions coexist uneasily.
It is noteworthy that Trudeau’s only tool for attacking pro-life efforts is to strip pro-life charities of their tax status—a move that highlights just how effective pro-abortion forces have been in eliminating any alternatives to abortion. With no laws regulating abortion in Canada, there are no remaining legal restrictions to challenge. Virtually every restraint has been removed, leaving policy encroachments on charitable organizations as one of the few remaining ways Trudeau can still weaponize abortion.
Being reduced to this strategy underscores the extent to which pro-abortion forces—through the complicity of politicians, mostly on the Conservative side of the aisle—have gained ground, while simultaneously exposing his desire to silence the voices that advocate for life and offer alternatives to abortion, wherever they may be found.
While pro-abortion forces receive substantial government funding and support, pregnancy counseling charities face increasing government-imposed restrictions. It’s a clear case of the government picking “winners” and “losers.” These policies aim not only to restrict resources but also to silence the voices that offer support and alternatives to the women—and their babies—who need it most. Is this really about ”choice”? And if so, whose?
Richard Dur is an award-winning political consultant with extensive experience working on campaigns across Canada. In addition to his professional work, he serves as the volunteer Executive Director of Prolife Alberta, an organization dedicated to advancing pro-life public policy in the province.
