News

Un des jumeaux de Daniella.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

Enceinte et Inquiète – This week, Daniella gave birth to her twin. Mother and children are doing well. (see pics)

Photos of Daniella's twin babies.

40 Days for Life – The 40-day prayer vigil for the end of abortion ended this past Sunday, November 3, 2024. Since Wednesday, September 25, 2024, we were present near one of the two abortion facilities in the eastern township community of Sherbrooke. Between five and six prayer volunteers came regularly to witness for life. On the last day, we held a small memorial prayer near the abortion centre for the victims of abortion. We then moved on to a local church for a roundup of the 40-day experience. At this time, we were blessed to have a woman share about her nursing experience of caring for mothers and new borns in the obstetrics unit of a local hospital. She also shared how she complemented her nursing training with a midwife course, learning other techniques that she had been hitherto unaware of, and which helped her further her work at the neonatal unit.

Vigil 365 – I returned to the streets of Montreal this past Monday morning, continuing the Vigil 365 program, being joined by the stalwarts present during my absence – Céline, Junior, and Mary. Of note was an exchange which occurred this morning. While praying with Mary, we were approached by a young man, mid-twenties, whose initially expressed disagreement with the message printed on the sign hanging around my neck: “Pray for the end of abortion.” He defended the need for abortions because, he argued, humans make mistakes and need means to correct these. He added that he had had a sexual encounter which resulted in a pregnancy. He recognized the foolishness of his action and being young man without the means to start a family, the child was aborted. In response, I pointed to the sign worn by Mary indicating support for an unplanned pregnancy. To my surprise, he congratulated us on this initiative and pulled out of his pocket a $5 bill which he promptly gave to me. He then walked away with a young woman who had been accompanying him.

I’m writing today to share urgent news about a new offensive launched by the Trudeau Liberal government. This attack targets pro-life crisis pregnancy centres across Canada, aiming to strip their charitable status. Under the guise of “transparency,” this move is, in reality, an attempt to undermine the centres that offer life-affirming alternatives to abortion and vital support to women in distress, such as baby formula, diapers, baby clothes, and professional counselling.

These centres are being singled out for not “clearly stating” that they do not offer abortion services, even though their mission is to protect and support both the mother and her child. This so-called transparency requirement is nothing more than a weapon to set up these organizations for failure and ultimately shut them down. How can we build a trusting dialogue with a woman in crisis, who may be feeling panicked about an unexpected pregnancy, if we’re forced to announce our opposition to abortion in bold letters at the entrance? Such a demand discourages any potential for meaningful conversation and support—the very goal of the Liberals: to sabotage our efforts to save mothers and children.

We refuse to back down in the face of this ideological persecution. We at Quebec Life Coalition have already made peace with not having charitable status and we will continue, no matter what obstacles are thrown our way, to assist women in distress. Through our Enceinte et inquiète (Pregnant, Need Help) service, we offer tangible help and compassionate solutions. Take Danielle’s story as an example: despite facing numerous challenges, she found hope for her future and her two unborn children through our support. This is the real "choice" we champion—a choice for life, love, and care. You can read her story here.

Meanwhile, Quebec is moving forward today, October 30th, with an expansion of euthanasia laws. Now, individuals suffering from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s can make advance requests for euthanasia. This widening of euthanasia access reflects a culture that increasingly values death over life, leaving the most vulnerable at risk. It fosters an environment where human life is devalued and where the frailest members of our society may feel like burdens.

Urgent Petition to Protect Our Children:

Lastly, I invite you to sign our petition against HPV Global Action, an organization promoting early sexual education that is aggressive and harmful to our children’s well-being. You can sign the petition here.

Protect Kids in Quebec – Sign today.

Pro-Life Event for English-Speaking Youth in Montreal

On November 9th, we’re hosting an event for young, pro-life members of Montreal’s English-speaking community. We welcome any young person who speaks English and is passionate about defending life. You can find all the event details here: https://en.cqv.qc.ca/nov9prolife. For those waiting for a French-language event, don’t worry—we’re planning a similar gathering in early 2025, with more details coming soon!

RSVP for youth pro-life event>>

Your support is crucial. Together, we must continue to fight for a culture of life, despite the repeated attacks on our values and actions. We will keep you informed about the steps we’re taking to defend our pregnancy centres and challenge this unjust, punitive legislation.

For Life,

Georges Buscemi
President, Quebec Life Coalition

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) – Photo: fizkes/Adobe Stock

Because of the precarious situation of one of the two infants that she is carrying – her physician thinks the child is underweight, there was talk of an inducing her delivery at the 34-week mark. Yet, matters seem to be working themselves out as she is currently in her 35th week. The wellbeing of the other child is ok, gaining weight.

Danielle requires your on-going prayers as issues regarding paying her rent and having sufficient groceries have come up over the past week. We ae accompanying her with both challenges and others, providing short term and longer-term aid.

Recently, our community of well-wisher have stepped forward to provide her with a wide range of products in anticipation of the delivery of her twins – car baby seats, clothing, undersized diapers for premature children, and plenty of wipes among other items, and even an iron so she can press the newborns clothes.

In other maternal news, we have recently delivered a box of infant clothes to Marie as her little girl, born this past April, is outgrowing her wardrobe. Marc, a long-time QLC volunteer, and Arpad working together delivered a box of clothing originating in Drummondville.

Brian Jenkins.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

Many blessings are being received at this fall’s prayer vigil for the end of abortion in Sherbrooke.

Since the vigil began this past Wednesday, September 25, a small yet devoted group of men and women have been maintaining a prayerful presence in this Eastern Township community, near the abortion facility located on Belvedere Street on the southern side of the city.

Particularly meritorious is the outreach that is being done. Outside the abortion facility’s operating hours, volunteers frequently gather a five-minute walk away at the busy intersection of Belvedere and Galt Streets to carry the pro-life message to the rush-hour commuters and weekend shoppers, and they are doing so with remarkable success.

For example, on one evening while in discussion with a local itinerant, I was approached by a young man who seemed genuinely sincere to understand how I can encourage others to pray for the end of abortion. (These are the words inscribed upon the sign that hangs around my neck.)

Parliament of Canada.

By Arpad Nagy (Quebec Life Coalition) - Photo: Arpad Nagy

Yesterday, for the first time ever, I attended the question period in the house of commons in Ottawa.

And what a day it was!

The Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Hon. Marci Ien, tabled a motion in the house “that contains our plan to require more transparency from charities that use deceptive tactics to push women away from making their own reproductive decisions”. So in short, the liberals, with the help of the NDP and BLOC, are starting their all-out attack on pro-life pregnancy centres.

So many members of parliament from those parties spoke out today against pregnancy centres. So many pregnancy centres provide crucial services to pregnant women and to mothers! Women who receive counseling, financial aid, baby items such as diapers, clothes, food, toys, etc… and all of this free of charge!!! The push to shut down these extraordinary centres that help women who want to have their children is so uncomprehensible!

Jeff Gunnerson, president of Campaign Life Coalition took quick action and wrote a letter to Pierre Poilievre, urging him and the conservative caucus to oppose this motion. He writes: “This legislation is nothing more than evidence of a Liberal vendetta against pro-life organizations that offer women more choices other than abortion, such as adoption and parenting. (…) With this proposed legislation, the Liberal Party is once again reaffirming that it is not the party of ‘choice’ but the party of abortion as the only choice.”

A new documentary by Léa Clermont-Dion on the future of abortion in Canada has just been released. "La peur au ventre" (Gut-wrenching Fear) follows a number of people involved in the fight for or against abortion in Canada and the United States to paint a current picture of the abortion issue. Among the pro-lifers featured in the documentary, Georges Buscemi, president of Campagne Québec-Vie / Quebec Life Coalition, appears to be the main pro-life protagonist in Quebec.

As you will have guessed, this documentary makes no secret of its bias in favour of abortion. However, it does give pro-lifers a fair amount of screen time, showing them in a not too unfavourable light.

Following the release of the documentary on Télé-Québec, Mr Buscemi was invited to appear on Sophie Durocher's show on QUB radio to discuss the film (in French).

Georges Buscemi, president of Quebec Life Coalition, being interviewed by Sophie Durocher of QUB radio (French).

In New Brunswick, the Liberals have just won a majority of seats in the provincial election, with Susan Holt taking over from Conservative Blaine Higgs. Ms Holt pledged to fund abortion in private facilities, repeal the requirement for schools to ask permission from children's parents before carrying out any ‘gender transition’ on their offspring, and restore access to schools for the organisation "HPV Global Action", which had been banned from schools by Blaine Higgs following leaks about the inappropriate sex education material the group was showing students. A sad day for New Brunswick.

Urgent Petition to Protect Our Children
On the subject of HPV Global Action, we have learned that the organisation has its headquarters in Quebec and that it is also active in schools. We therefore strongly encourage you to sign this essential petition to protect young Quebecers from the corruption of so-called "educational" organizations that attempt to introduce harmful programs in our schools. Whether you have children in school or not, it’s crucial that every Quebecer act in favor of healthy, value-based education.
Review and sign the petition here: https://www.cqv.qc.ca/hpv_global_action. Please share it with your friends and family via email or on social media. Together, let’s make our voices heard to protect Quebec’s children.

Sign the petition >>

Pro-Life Youth Event for Anglophones in Montreal

On November 9, we’ll be holding an event for pro-life youth from Montreal’s English-speaking community. We’re delighted to welcome any young person who understands English and is passionate about defending life.
You can find all the event details here: https://en.cqv.qc.ca/nov9prolife. And for those waiting for an event in French, rest assured—we’re planning a similar gathering in early 2025. More details to come!

RSVP for youth pro-life event>>

For Life,
Augustin Hamilton

Barbara Bonner (left) taking part in the Vigil 365, October 2022.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

This past Thanksgiving Monday, one of the Quebec Life Coalition more enthousiastic supporters was called home to our Heavenly Father. Barbara Bonner died peacefully surrounded by family at the Saint Gabriel Palliative care centre in Montreal.

Over the twelve or so years I have been part of Montreal’s pro-life movement, Barbara was present at various and numerous occasions. She played an integral part of the annual corn-on-the-cob event at our offices, coordinating the preparation of the corn. She participated regularly in the outdoor prayer vigils for the end of abortion, from the initial moments when we prayed on St. Joseph Blvd in 2009 and then moving with us to the Berri and St. Catherine Streets site. And she did exemplary work replacing me a year ago to coordinate the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil while I did likewise in Sherbrooke.

The following personal testimony from Denis Beaudoin, another volunteer with QLC, aptly describes how we all felt about Barbara.

A Eulogy for Barbara Bonner, by Denis Beaudoin

Barbara, a devout Catholic and deeply involved volunteer in the Pro-Life cause, passed away this past Thanksgiving Monday. Barbara was a genuinely nice person, and I loved her very much. Always smiling, with her great interpersonal skills, she sometimes led us into interesting discussions on spiritual matters and the lives of the saints. She took on the responsibility of making the calls to ensure a presence of praying volunteers at the 40 Days for Life in Montreal last fall (2023), Brian being at the 40 Days for Life Vigil in Sherbrooke. I am going to miss seeing her. I am going to miss those discussions at the Second Cup on Saint-Denis Street after prayer time. Many people knew her better than I did, and appreciated this simple, pious woman of faith. Let us pray for her, her family, and her friends. Directly to Heaven? - Here's a text message I received: “While she (Barbara’s sister) was praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, at the end Barbara passed silently away!” According to St. Faustina Kowalska's diary, when the Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited at the bedside of a dying person, the soul goes straight to Heaven, without Judgment and without passing through Purgatory.

We have several important topics to share with you this week:

Urgent Petition to Protect Our Children
We strongly encourage you to sign this essential petition to protect young Quebecers from the corruption of so-called "educational" organizations that attempt to introduce harmful programs in our schools. Whether you have children in school or not, it’s crucial that every Quebecer act in favor of healthy, value-based education.
Review and sign the petition here: https://www.cqv.qc.ca/hpv_global_action. Please share it with your friends and family via email or on social media. Together, let’s make our voices heard to protect Quebec’s children.

Sign the petition >>

Pro-Life Youth Event for Anglophones in Montreal
On November 9, we’ll be holding an event for pro-life youth from Montreal’s English-speaking community. We’re delighted to welcome any young person who understands English and is passionate about defending life.
You can find all the event details here: https://en.cqv.qc.ca/nov9prolife. And for those waiting for an event in French, rest assured—we’re planning a similar gathering in early 2025. More details to come!

RSVP for youth pro-life event>>

Our Trial Against “Bubble Zones” is Approaching
We are actively preparing for our court case challenging provisions of the Health and Social Services Act (section 16.1), which restrict our freedom of expression by preventing us from peacefully counseling pregnant women in public spaces near abortion centers. Since this law was adopted in 2016, presence within 50 meters of these establishments has been prohibited, with fines of up to $1,250 for individuals.
This law, passed under pressure from abortion centers like the Morgentaler Clinic, unfairly restricts our message of compassion and support for pregnant women in difficult situations. We challenge this restriction, as it infringes on our fundamental right to freedom of expression—a right recognized as essential in a democratic society.

The trial will begin on November 11 at 9 a.m., in Room 15.07 located at 10 Saint-Antoine Street East, Montreal, QC, H2Y 4A5.

I hope this information is helpful! Thank you for your commitment and for every action taken in defense of Life.

Georges Buscemi
President, Campagne Québec-Vie

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) - Photo: partystock/Freepik

I thank God for the many people dedicated at building a culture of life that we work with. A case in point illustrates this matter.

In a previous entry, I wrote to you about Danielle. She had contacted our pregnancy support line this past April. Alone, in Canada on Humanitarian grounds, she called to ask whether we would buy her a bed. As her pregnancy was progressing, she was finding it ever more uncomfortable sleeping on the floor. Fortunately, close to her apartment, a retailer was found which sold beds, boxes, and linen and in no time was a deal made, with a delivery arranged for either the following day or the day after.

Since this first encounter, we have continued to provide her with moral and material support.

This past week, in her 34th week, Danielle called us to ask whether we could help her prepare for the arrival of her children, because she is expecting twins. She listed articles including two car seats, diapers, and wipes.

Recently, Msgr. Francis Leo appeared on EWTN to speak about assisted suicide in Canada and the importance of promoting palliative care in our churches. Msgr. Leo highlighted a program developed by the CCCB, called Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care.

In Canada, Euthanasia is going rampant. Eligibility to the MAID program is constantly being expanded, and the number of people requesting to be killed through MAID is greatly increasing every year. Euthanasia is a reality that every priest and pastor need to face, because it is happening in our church family. It is a reality that each of us also needs to face because it can happen in our circles as well.

Is euthanasia being talked about in your church? If yes, is there clear teaching on it? Are people taking the teachings to heart and putting them in action by helping those vulnerable or prone to consider euthanasia? These are questions we need to ask ourselves.

Msgr. Leo expressed that palliative care is the only option. In his diocese, he is encouraging the setting up of parish groups to help people understand the evils of euthanasia and the benefits of palliative care. Horizons of Hope is a program that intends to educate people on the issues surrounding palliative care, death and the process of dying, suffering, accompaniment and bereavement, through quality content and through building community. Thank you to the CCCB and their collaborators for creating this program. I will be looking more into it.

I am always very happy to hear when our spiritual leaders publicly and intently address the social ills of our time, especially when it comes to abortion, euthanasia and the traditional family. I recently wrote a blog on a different topic—Msgr. Leo’s open letter to members of parliament on a pornography bill. In case you missed it, you can read it here. Thank you Msgr. Leo for your public stance, and I wish you good success in your new responsibilities in the Church.