For Immediate Release

OTTAWA, ON— As more Canadians learn about the practice of sex-selective abortion in Canada, support is mounting for Bill C-233: the Sex Selective Abortion Act. Cathay Wagantall, Member of Parliament for Yorkton—Melville, today announced that her Private Member’s Bill has been backed by the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of British Columbia.

“I thank the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society for their strong words of support,” said Wagantall. “Polls indicate cross-country agreement amongst Canadians of all beliefs — 84%, in fact — for the prohibition of sex-selection abortion. However, public statements go the extra mile and put a face to the numbers.”

In its statement, the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society declared that C-233 is a “reasonable limit” on abortion that would work to enhance Canada’s human rights image. Canada remains the only country, other than North Korea, to lack any law or limit on abortion. As a consequence, the Canadian Medical Association has indicated that sex-selection abortion is a problem in Canada.

Wagantall noted that it is a problem Canadians are no longer willing to accept.

“If just one girl is terminated simply because she is a girl, Canada has an obligation to act. Members of Parliament have been given the public consensus needed to pass C-233.”

When enacted, C-233 will prohibit a medical practitioner from performing an abortion on the grounds of the pre-born child’s sex. Those convicted could face a prison sentence of up to five years.

“Our Criminal Code must reflect the values of Canadians,” concluded Wagantall. “This is above being a pro-life or pro-choice issue. It is a Canadian issue.”

To read the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society’s letter of endorsement, click here.

To learn more about Bill C-233, visit www.cathaywagantall.ca/c233.

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