View topic - 'Reprehensible' naming, Local MP derides choice of Morgantal :: Free Dominion - Principled Conservative - Party and Canadian Politics

'Reprehensible' naming
Local MP derides choice of Morgantaler
By KEVIN ENGSTROM, SUN MEDIA

A local Tory MP says the naming of an abortion-rights activist to the Order of Canada is a disgrace and tarnishes everyone who has ever been given Canada's highest honour.

Rod Bruinooge (Winnipeg South) said Dr. Henry Morgentaler's investment as a member into the Order of Canada, announced yesterday, has made him rethink any future association in nominating candidates for the honour.

"To award this country's highest honour to a man who millions of Canadians consider to be reprehensible ... it shouldn't have happened," said Bruinooge, a staunch pro-lifer.

Morgentaler was instrumental in having the Supreme Court strike down Criminal Code restrictions on abortion in 1988.

According to a statement on the governor general's website, he will be named a member of the Order at a later date for "his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations."

Bruinooge, who is a parliamentary secretary to Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, said Morgentaler's inclusion cheapens the honour for other inductees, both past and present. He questioned whether the committee which selects candidates for the honour is actually a legitimate "voice for all Canadians."

"Whether you're pro-life or pro-choice, to see someone selected (for the Order) that millions of Canadians would disagree with is disappointing," he said.

DISTANCING

Bruinooge's comments last night were a further example of the Harper government distancing itself from the decision. Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, made it clear earlier in the day that the government had nothing to do with the decision.

"Rideau Hall makes these appointments based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Order which is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada," said Soudas.

But pro-choice advocates celebrated Morgentaler's inclusion in the Order.

Author and feminist Judy Rebick said "it's about time" Morgentaler was recognized for his work.

But opponents of abortion say the Order of Canada is meant to unify Canadians, not divide them.

"I think it should go to people who all Canadians can look up to and admire and whose undertakings are inspiring for us," said Joanne McGarry, executive director of the Catholic Civil Rights League. She added that honouring Morgentaler implicitly endorses abortion, and many Canadians will be offended by the decision.

Morgentaler is among 75 people who will receive the national honour. Other inductees announced yesterday include local musician Randy Bachman, formerly of The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive, and Gail Asper, who has worked tirelessly to make her father's dream of a Canadian human rights museum a reality. Both will be made officers of the Order.
http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2008/07/02/6039786-sun.html
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FREE DOMINION FORUM RULES
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope ~ Sir Winston Churchill
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 9:16 am Post subject:

This just seems very convenient for the Liberals that this happened. I smell a rat. What are the odds that one of the biggest targets for conservatives across Canada would get this honour while a Conservative Party is in the house with the constant pressure of an election on the horizon? The CPC reacts and bang-o we have the abortion debate front and centre which is what the Liberals want for their smear campaigns. This reeks of political pandering by people who are suppose to be non-partisan in their selections.

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 9:24 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 9:29 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 9:35 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 9:52 am Post subject:

http://theblackkettle.blogspot.com/2008/07/henry-morgentaler-and-order-of-canada.html

Committee Members (Advisory Council) who preside over the Order of Canada nominations:

1) Chair of the Council:

Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada, Telephone: 613-992-6940

2) Clerk of the Privy Council:

Dr. Kevin Lynch, Clerk of the Privy Council, Telephone: 613-957-5400

3) Deputy Minister of the Department of Canadian Heritage:

Ms. Judith LaRocque, Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, Telephone: 819-994-1132

3) Chair of the Canada Council:

Ms. Karen Kain, C.C., Chair, Canada Council for the Arts, Telephone: 1-800-263-5588

4) President of the Royal Society of Canada:

Dr. Yvan Guindon, C.M., President, Royal Society of Canada, Telephone: 613-991-6990

Prof. Yvan Guindon, c.m., Directeur, Laboratoire de chimie bio-organique, Téléphone: 514-987-5785

5) Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada:

Mr. Thomas Traves, Ph.D., Chair, Board of Directors, Ass'n of Universities and Colleges of Canada, Telephone: 613-563-1236

Mr. Thomas Traves, Ph.D., President and Vice Chancellor, Dalhousie University, Telephone: 902-494-2511

OTHER:

Ms. Sheila-Marie Cook, Secretary to the Governor General, Rideau Hall, Telephone: 613-993-8200; Toll-free: 1-800-465-6890; Fax: 613-998-8760; email: info@gg.ca

Ms. Emmanuelle Sajous, Deputy Secretary, Order of Canada Chancellery, Telephone: 613-998-8731
_________________
FREE DOMINION FORUM RULES
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope ~ Sir Winston Churchill
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 10:32 am Post subject:

The response by Premier Gary Doer

http://www.cjob.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1014637
_________________
FREE DOMINION FORUM RULES
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope ~ Sir Winston Churchill
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 10:38 am Post subject:

Notice the pro choicers are almost always feminist.

I tend to agree - the timing on this one is perfect, nothing like a good old abortion debate to send the liberal masses out screaming like banshees and voting against conservatives.

This is one insidious issue, to be sure.

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 11:25 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 11:32 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 11:40 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 11:40 am Post subject:

There's certainly no identified pro-life activist on the Order Of Canada nominating committee list provided by styky. It's chair is Beverly McLachlin and she also heads a pro-abortion Supreme Court. No wonder they came up with this nomination for Henry Morgenthaler and the liberal media elite Governor-General Michaelle Jean proclaimed it. Anyone hoping that Prime Minister Stephen Harper, hardly a pro-life activist himself, would have interfered with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Governor-General of Canada against the award is just fooling themselves. The Conservative MP complaining about this is going to be told to cool it by the PMO.

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 11:45 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 11:48 am Post subject:

Posted: 07/ 02/ 08 11:54 am Post subject:

I'm guess 80-90% of CPC backbenchers (and 20-30% of LPC backbenchers) are upset (or downright appalled) of the decision. It is unfortunate they have little power though...

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