MORGENTALER AND THE ORDER OF CANADA: 

IS CANADA REALLY A DEMOCRACY?

by Sarah Sonne


On September 29th, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Conservative government will never re-open the debate on abortion, and if bills are tabled that would lead to the re-criminalization of abortion, he will whip his cabinet to oppose them. This is somewhat ironic considering the debate on abortion has been wide open ever since it was announced on Canada Day that Henry Morgentaler would be receiving the Order of Canada, to which Harper vocally disapproved of as something that divides Canadians.

Both Harpers announcement, and Morgentaler’s ceremony to receive the Order of Canada this Friday, throw serious doubt on whether Canada is a democracy at all. By whipping his cabinet, Harper is doing the same thing that he disapproved of Chief Justice Beverly McLaghlin doing; that is, over-riding the voice of an individual to achieve an agenda. If that is the case, why have a cabinet at all?

Secondly, with 56% of Canadians disapproving of Morgentaler’s nomination, Canada saw a flurry of debate in the national media after July 1st that made one thing very clear; Harper was right, Canada is severely (and passionately) divided on the issue of abortion. This is further proven by the fact that the Governor General is traveling to Quebec City this Friday to present Morgentaler with the Order of Canada on a holiday weekend and on the eve of an election, with no announcement, when all eyes are diverted and watching other things. Sound like a repeat of Canada Day? Could it be that the ceremony is taking place in Quebec because Quebec is the most supportive province of abortion, and it is unlikely anyone will kick up a fuss there?

Why is it that in a so-called democracy, we have to sneak around and whip votes in order to silence the voice of a growing sector of society? If Canada’s mind is already made up, why have an election at all?.