By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) - Photo: Augustin Hamilton

As usual, I arrived at the vigil site at around 7h30. No sooner had I arrived than a first visitor arrived. Laurence is homeless and currently sleeping in one of Montreal's shelters for the homeless. She described it as very rough, with limited services. She said that the rules are not being enforced, and that men and women weren't respecting the zones set aside for them respectively. Some of her belongings have gone missing, and although meals are prepared, she believes she has had a bout of diarrhea as a result. She does not feel safe. She wants to get out. I offered her bottled water and a few dollars, and she left to find a better shelter. Jasper arrived soon after. He took over from me the care of the vigil this past September when I had left to do one in Sherbrooke. Since my return, he has taken a break and this morning he is going to meet a friend at a local café. Then my prayer partner, Caterina arrived. We began our prayers, and during which I realized that I had not seen any of the familiar faces that I associate with the abortion centre. As we prayed, Caterina and I were interrupted by a loud and angry middle-aged woman. We first noticed her standing on the curb taking a picture of us with her mobile phone. Dear reader, be aware that there is a certain notoriety to being on the sidewalks of Montreal defending life. Before continuing on her way, this woman made a few comments about how inappropriate it was to pray for an end to abortion in front of a university. (The abortion facility is located across the street from the university.) She added that by our presence and the signs hung around our necks (“Pray for an end to abortion,” “Pregnant? Worried? 1-855-871-4442 We Can Help You,” and “Choose Life”) were manipulating the students. I attempted a reply but this lady quickly interrupted me, saying that she was not interested in what I had to say and stormed off. Caterina and I caught our breath after this brief encounter and resumed our prayers. Visitors, prayer, and confrontation, today’s vigil was a full one.

Vigil 365 is an activity of the Quebec Life Coalition since February 2020 in which prayer volunteers gather near an abortion facility to pray for an end to abortion. We chose to meet at the intersection of Berri and Ste Catherine streets because there were five abortuaries within a half-kilometre radius from that spot. (One of them has since moved to another location.) The activity takes place daily and lasts either ninety minutes or twelve hours depending on the time of year. Interested people are welcome to participate and can learn more by calling (438) 930-8643.

By Quebec Life Coalition - Photo: Théovox Actualités/YouTube

On the evening of Thursday, November 14th, Georges Buscemi, President of Campagne Québec-Vie / Quebec Life Coalition, appeared live on Théovox Actualités with Jean-François Denis to share his reflections on the trial challenging Quebec’s 50-meter buffer zones. This interview marked the conclusion of a week-long legal battle, during which Buscemi testified at the Superior Court of Quebec, advocating for the rights of pro-life advocates and women in crisis. The following account summarizes what Georges presented during this live interview, which can be viewed in its entirety (in French) here:

A Mission of Hope Versus Discrimination

Buscemi recounted how these bubble zones, introduced by a provincial law in 2016, prohibit pro-life advocates from offering compassionate support to women near abortion facilities. He emphasized that sidewalk counseling, which typically involves one or two individuals peacefully presenting alternatives to abortion, is meant to provide hope and practical solutions. He described how the law unfairly labels pro-life advocates as aggressors, turning their peaceful actions into prohibited activities.

“We offer help, we don’t impose it,” Buscemi explained during the interview. He stressed that their approach is rooted in respect and care, not intimidation. He also pointed out that existing laws, such as the Criminal Code of Canada, already address harassment and obstruction, rendering the bubble zones unnecessary.

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

Building a culture of life is a top-down exercise. God, our creator, is atop and we, his creatures, below, conforming to his precepts, acting in accord, in one heart, with him.

An example of this happened past week. Jennifer, a woman with whom I work closely, received a phone call. It was from a mother that she and I had helped some time ago. This mother was calling on behalf of another mother whose child had outgrown his clothes and so the mother wondered whether another needy mother could benefit from a gift of these clothes, two boxes full. She contacted her friend who remembered Jennifer. Jennifer called me to ask if Daniella, who had twins three weeks ago, would be interested. As I later found out, she was. So began a chain of events to deliver the clothes.

By Quebec Life Coalition — Photo: thodonal/Adobe Stock

Montreal, QC — November 7, 2024

Campagne Québec-Vie (also known as Quebec Life Coalition), a prominent pro-life organization in Quebec, is set to bring its case against the province’s 50-meter buffer zone law before the Quebec Superior Court. The trial, presided over by the Honorable Justice Lysane Cree, will be held at the Montreal courthouse in room 16.12, beginning on Monday, November 11, and is expected to continue through November 18.

The plaintiffs—Dr. Roseline Lebel Caron, Brian Jenkins, and Campagne Québec-Vie—are challenging Article 16.1 of Quebec’s Health and Social Services Law. Enacted in 2016, this legislation prohibits demonstrations within 50 meters of any facility where abortions are committed. The law, aimed at preventing protestors from dissuading women seeking abortions or condemning clinic workers, threatens penalties for peaceful gatherings near these facilities.

Campagne Québec-Vie contends that this law infringes upon their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as guaranteed by both the Canadian and Quebec Charters of Rights and Freedoms. In their arguments, the plaintiffs emphasize that the buffer zone law goes beyond safeguarding public order and instead hinders legitimate public discourse on a contentious issue.

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.

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.”

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.

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.