Has the pro-abortion government currently running the province of Quebec overplayed its hand?

You may have heard the news: about two weeks ago, the French CBC announced that the tourism minister of Quebec, Caroline Proulx, had cancelled an event planned to take place in a gov’t owned convention centre in Quebec City, on account of it allegedly being a pro-life event.

The Minister affirmed that the event was against Quebec’s “fundamental principles”, as if letting people kill babies in the womb was suddenly a “principle”, let alone a fundamental one…

The irony is that the organisers of the event denied that the event was pro-life. It was supposed to be a Christian prayer event, aimed at reconciling all Canadians. But the Quebec government would have none of it. They’ve doubled down. You can read more about this unbelievably ham-fisted censorship, here.

The 10-day event was to take place between June 23 and July 2. There’s still time for the government, however hard-hearted, to reconsider its untenable stance. Will you help us get our petition signed by enough people to get it into our Quebec leaders heads that pro-lifers are people too?

We need people from not only Quebec but from all of Canada, to show that we are united across the country against the censoring of pro-life voices. So far, over 3000 people have signed.

This incident shows us once again how much work we pro-lifers have on our plate in Quebec. We are working hard right now on many fronts, and in the days to come I will be telling you about our projects. But these can’t be realized without your help. If you can help us develop a pro-life opposition to stand up to the pro-abortion establishment in this province, please give what you can today.

God bless,

Georges Buscemi, President
Quebec Life Coalition / Campagne Québec-Vie

I am pleased to announce that we are participating in an event organized by the Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) on the 35th anniversary of the infamous R. v. Morgentaler decision that created a legal vacuum in Canada around abortion. Since that unfortunate day, tens of thousands of unborn children are killed every year.

The event will take place tomorrow, Thursday, January 26, at 10am, in front of the Supreme Court of Canada building, 301 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0J1, and will end in front of Parliament (also Wellington St). Come one, come all! Part of our team is currently in Ottawa to participate in the event.

I am also announcing here the 2023 summer internship programs for students of CLC and The Interim. These are paid internships in which students will learn about the philosophy of the pro-life movement, practical apologetics, various modes of action, from administrative tasks, to writing articles, to design or management of social networks, to participation in concrete events.

For more details, click here.

For Life,
Augustin Hamilton

This Week's Quebec Pro-Life News

A five year old child’s breathing tube will be removed even if it kills him
The Quebec Court of Appeal has ruled that a child’s breathing tube can be permanently removed despite his parents opposing the decision.

Why is abortion victim photography important? An interview with Merichel Diaz
Montreal Against Abortion (MAA) is a pro-life group in Montreal that is focused on Abortion Victim Photography (AVP).

In this end of year, we present you, with our best wishes for the new year, a selection of articles published by us in 2022.

Wishing you a good reading with these news from Quebec and Canada on the Culture of Life.

Augustin Hamilton,
Responsible for the news site

Articles of the Year 2022:

Minister of Justice says euthanasia for Canadians is still a "top priority"
The Canadian government is delaying indefinitely the expansion of euthanasia for people with mental illness, but declares the expansion of the bill remains a "top priority".

"Late-term abortions are performed here every week" - Nurse at the Jewish General Hospital
A nurse at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal informed Quebec Life Coalition that late-term abortions, i.e. at 21 weeks gestation or more, are performed on a "weekly" basis at this famous Montreal hospital.

Quebec College of Physicians criticized for justifying euthanasia of critically ill infants
Catherine Levesque published an article on October 11, 2022 in the National Post. She reports that the Quebec College of Physicians is being criticized by advocacy groups for proposing that euthanasia for critically ill newborns be made legal.

"NO TO A MORGENTALER PARK" IN MONTREAL
On September 10th, Quebec Life Coalition organized an event in Montreal, at Beaujeu Park to protest against it being renamed after Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

The truth about the 6700 victims in long term care centers with Sylvain Laforest
Have we euthanized our seniors in long term care center (CHSLD) between the spring of 2020 and 2021?

The 40 Days for Life in Sherbrooke
"Jesus-Christ is a God of Life, light and truth. If only the people who are hard on us knew how much we love them! We are not here just to resist, it's a gesture of love to be here (...) It is not always easy to be here, but it is especially in these difficult moments that we must stay and spread the love of the Lord in the world".

Interview with Dr. Robert Béliveau, an expert in a documentary about victims in the Quebec Long Term Care Homes (2020-2021)
Dr. Robert Béliveau is a retired family physician. He is one of the experts who participated in Sylvain Laforest's documentary "CHSLD - Je me souviens" [Long Term Care Homes– I Remember].

Controversy surrounds choice of "drag queen" as "star fairy" at Montreal Santa parade
"I can't take it anymore. Who is asking for a drag queen to interfere with the imagination of children?"

Vigil 365: Two hearts. Two souls. Two lives!
Every morning of the year, a Vigil is held near the Berri-UQAM metro station. It was initiated in February 2020 by its organizer Brian Jenkins. People meet to pray for life and honor the unborn.

We must reaffirm "the supremacy of God and the rule of law" in order to protect the weakest
We are fundamentally opposed to the introduction and any expansion of MAID, particularly because MAID violates the spirit of the preamble to the Canadian Constitution: "Whereas Canada is founded on principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law."

A few participants at our gathering in Montreal.

Just writing you a quick email before driving back three hours to my home near Quebec City.

Quebec Life Coalition just held today a conference in Montreal that was a great reminder of how important face to face events are. In a world where certain "powers that be" want to keep us in our own little pods and viewing their filtered news and biased media, organisations like ours have to make an extra effort in order to rehumanize society -- and that starts with face to face events like the one we held today.

I kicked off the event with a talk about our Mission at Campagne Québec-Vie, which is to protect unborn babies from abortion, vulnerable people from euthanasia, and the family from dissolution. We do this in many ways, and on many fronts. What underlies our approach is our love of Truth, and our fight against relativism, which is the belief that moral and other truths change from culture to culture and even from person to person.

My colleague Brian Jenkins, who runs the local 40 Days for Life vigil for the end of abortion and pregnancy help hotline (1-855-871-4442) told us about his beginnings in pro-life working in New York City and his work today in Montreal, keeping 365-days-a-year vigil outside abortion centers.

Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea and say, “Here is the message of the Amen, the faithful, the true witness, the ultimate source of God’s creation: I know all about you: how you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other, but since you are neither, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. (Rev 3: 14-16)

I recently received a great blessing that I’d like to share with you.

You may already be familiar with our sidewalk ministry in downtown Montreal, which we have named “Vigil 365.” It involves prayer volunteers spending about ninety minutes each day, year-round, at the centre of the abortion industry in the province of Quebec. Within a half-kilometer radius of the corner of St. Catherine and Berri Streets there are five abortion facilities, one of which performs late-term abortions (after 25 weeks of gestation).

Our presence there does not go unnoticed. Men and women from all walks of life travel through this busy intersection daily – workers, tourists, CEGEP and university students, and the homeless, as well as people on their way to or from the abortion facilities.

Reactions to our presence are varied, ranging from smiles and words of support, through mute indifference, to frowns and disparaging words.

The blessing I mentioned above came as the result of this sidewalk activity, following an exchange with a young man about 22 years old, who is passionately opposed to our presence in this public space. His attitude then as well as in two subsequent visits was antagonistic.

Much like a severe storm indiscriminatingly pickup everything in its path, his remonstrations embraced issues not limited to the pro-life movement – organised religion, women’s rights, and others endearing to us who value family, faith, and life.

Through it all, my peers and I remained calm. We also offered rebuttals to the varied comments when permitted, as the young man did listen to us.

Afterwards, on reflecting upon the three encounters, I came to recognise a tremendous blessing received. Yes, remaining calm and verbal were blessings in themselves, examples of God’s grace at work. Yet there was more, much more.

It occurred to me how much God cares about and loves this young man. In His great mercy, Our Lord manifested Himself through the presence and words of three different interlocutors – first with a vigil participant named Mary, then with me, and then with Denis, another vigil participant.

Our Lord manifested Himself to the young man, calling him to Him through three different servants, calling him to be with Him.

Through these three visitors, the young man was met, then welcomed and then listened to. He met three witnesses, all of whom were avowed believers in God and the culture of life.

Though “cold” and offensive to God and to the culture of life, he was not cast into Gehenna, but called to be part of Our Lord’s plan of an abundant life. This moment of insight permitted me to understand more clearly why Our Lord prefers those who are “cold” to the “lukewarm,” as this “coldness” can lead people to gravitate to God, unlike the “lukewarm” who remain in suspension like motes of dust hanging in the air.

A further insight. This incident revealed not only God’s largeness but also how we are His instruments to reach out to others.

I learned that God is ever ready to embrace us all, the indignant included.

I pray that you too may have such opportunities to be God’s instrument in the lives of others.

With this in mind, consider joining us in our upcoming activites so you too may experience God's munificence:

- Day of Action against renaming a city park to honour an abortionist - Saturday, September 10, 2022. See newsletter for details.

- Life Chain. On Sunday, October 2, 2022, a sixty-minute silent, prayerful vigil at the corner of Décarie Blvd. and Jean-Talon Street. Signs will be provided to draw the public’s attention to the truth that abortion is not a solution.

- 40 Days for Life prayer vigil for the end of abortion. From September 28, 2022, to Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Sherbrooke, QC.

Thank you for your on-going prayerful support for our mission to change hearts and establish a culture of life.

Brian Jenkins
Outreach Coordinator
Quebec Life Coalition

Here is my message for September, along with our monthly newsletter.

Also, as you may have heard, we recently welcomed Arpad Nagy to our team, as Director of Political Operations for Campagne Québec-Vie. Today, I am happy to give him the floor to allow him to say a few words about the importance of engaging in the current provincial general election. Without further ado, here is his message below.

Blessings,

--Brian Jenkins

***

On my way to church Sunday morning, I noticed that the Montreal urban landscape has changed. Innumerable posts have all of a sudden been plastered by the faces of the next crop of provincial politicians. The writ has dropped! The provincial elections are underway! Overnight, the campaign teams of all the political parties were hard at work covering the whole province with their campaign materials.

In just under 5 weeks, we will be at the polls, voting for the next crop of representatives at the National Assembly. The candidates we will elect will most likely be representing us for the next 4 years.

For many of you, as it is for me as well, the direction of these elections may not seem promising. The polls are suggesting that the ruling party is heading towards another majority government, and only one of the major parties seems to represent us, and even at that, only partially.

With all of this going on, I need your help.

In Quebec culture and politics, Christian values and the pro-life position are not popular. And the more unpopular they become, the more it is important that we voice them. Our politicians need to know that we are here, and here to stay. They need to know that we are numerous, and they need to hear our voices proclaim our beliefs loud and clear. Each of the 125 candidates in the 5 main parties need to hear us. Our voice must be heard. The candidates in your region will be hosting several meetings in the coming weeks. Will you be available to go meet your candidates and ask them questions, and explain to them our concerns? Tell them why we are concerned for parental and family rights, why we want pre-born children to be protected, and that we want to be able to practise our Christian faith freely? Here are a few suggestions of question you can ask.

—What do you think of late-term abortions? Is aborting a child mere days before birth an acceptable practice? What if a child is born alive from an abortion, do you think they should be killed or left to die?

—At what age should children be taught about sexuality? Should elementary school children be guided to consider homosexuality and transgenderism? Do you believe parents are responsible for their children until they are adults? What do you think about parents who homeschool?

—Should churches retain their charity status? Should all pregnancy centres retain their charity status?

—Would you approve of legislation legalizing prostitution?

—Do you approve of doctor-patient confidentiality? Does this include Covid related information? Would you make a Covid vaccine mandatory? Will you defend conscience right for physicians? Would you support laws to defend the vulnerable in society (like the elderly, the depressed, the sick, the handicapped)? What do you think of MAID for these vulnerable people?

Personalize your questions, and if you can, include questions on other political issues, like the environment, the economy, firearms, immigration, etc. It is important to show ourselves as intelligent and implicated in all aspects of the governance of our province. Also, it is important that we find out what our candidates believe, and not what the party leader believes, or what is written in the party policy book. The candidate who will be elected will have the responsibility to represent us in parliament. They will be voting for the good of all their constituents.

When the candidates’ ideas go against our own, it is important that we show our sadness and deception. Whatever you may ask, whatever conversation you may have, I encourage you to always do so in charity, with no anger, and always in a manner to properly represent the Lord Jesus Christ. We, who are Christians, are called to be “little-Christs” to our families and neighbours, and in the weeks to come, to our provincial candidates. Before any action, let’s also remember to prepare ourselves with prayer, so that the Holy Spirit would guide us, and so that the Lord may call many lost sheep back to the fold.

If you come across any information on the candidates in your riding, we would love to hear from you. Please e-mail me at [email protected]. I thank you in advance.

Regarding the October 3rd vote—for whom to vote, recommended criteria, questions of conscience…. More on that in the coming weeks.

Here is my last week’s interview with Georges in French. Among other topics, we address the upcoming election. It may interest you…



May the Lord keep you,

Arpad Nagy

Dear Friends of Life,

I have some wonderful news to share!

Your prayers and the work of one of our volunteers have saved the lives of twin girls.

That’s right – we can augment by two the number of babies saved by our efforts to end abortion.

I received this good news a fortnight ago. Invited to St-Joseph’s Oratory for an afternoon of prayer, I met Doris, one of the many faithful prayer warriors who attend our twice annual 40 Days for Life prayer vigil for the end of abortion.

Yet, her devotion does not end there. She also brings to her church our promotional material such as the prayer card entitled “Prayer for the End of Abortion,” placing it in a common area.

Not long ago, she told me, she had met a mom with a pair of twin at her church. The conversation turned to the pro-life material and on learning that Doris was the one responsible for having placed it, the mother thanked her profusely. On asking why, Doris learned the rest of the story.

One day, the mother, pregnant but ignorant that she was carrying twins, had a harrowing experience with her physician. Upon examination, the doctor, for various reasons, had advised her that she should abort.

Deeply saddened and not knowing quite what to do, she came across the material that Doris had left inside the church. Bolstered by what she read, she resolved then and there to carry through with the pregnancy, delighting even more so on learning that she was carrying twin girls.

Today mother and daughters are healthy and happy. Praise be to God!

This increases to five the number of babies saved during the Montreal 40 days for life prayer vigils.

(We believe that the number is greater as many women who have decided to keep their child after seeing us pray daily across the street from the Morgentaler abortion mill on Saint Joseph Blvd. East, do not slip us a word.)

Returning to Doris’ deed, I find this shows how our affirming gestures, however little these may be, can promote a culture of life.

Here’s another story about the big impact of small gestures. For some time now, Charlotte, one of our regular prayer volunteers, proudly wears the “Precious Feet” lapel pin - an exact replica of the size of the feet of a ten-week old unborn child. One day she gives hers to an acquaintance who took a fancy to it. In turn this woman was asked by a young woman about the pin she was wearing. On hearing what it was, the young lady exclaimed: “You mean to tell me that those are the actual size of the feet of my unborn child?!” At which point she renounced thoughts of aborting her child, something she was considering. Today little Samuel is the delight of many.

Small gestures – leaving leaflets at the back of a church, wearing a precious feet lapel pin, among others, are important.

God is calling each of us to participate in one way or another to build his kingdom of love. At the Quebec Life Coalition, I am privileged to hear these stories.

Thank you for supporting us both financially and through prayer in this endeavour.

For Life!

Brian Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator, Quebec Life Coalition

Dear Friends of Life,

I would like to begin by thanking you for your on-going support - both in prayer and financially, of this pro-life work, particularly to those who responded to QLC President Georges Buscemi’s urgent appeal of this past month. Your donations have allowed us to maintain our current staffing levels, and for this we are grateful.

Earlier this month, I experienced the proverbial “Day that I will long be remembered,” a day filled with experiences typical of why we at the Quebec Life Coalition exist.

In reverse chronological order, I would like to share these with you. First, in late afternoon I learned that Bill 52, the so called “Medical aid in dying” legislation became law. MNAs voted 96-22 in favour of permitting physicians and medical staff, for the task will befall the nurses whom the doctors will ultimately coerce, to euthanize our fellow citizens.

We had laboured long with other groups both within and outside of Quebec to thwart the bill’s passage. In February of this year, we had won a minor victory as an election call had gutted its implementation. Yet the new legislature picked up where the old left off. We will continue to fight!

Earlier that same day, I was at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital witnessing another drama in this battle for life, one involving life at its earliest stage. In the pediatric wing, I sat in wonder as technician and doctor performed an ultrasound on a five-month pregnant friend. For thirty minutes, I watched spellbound the unborn child resting in the mother’s womb.

Yet, during this scene of nascent life, death’s shadows crept in on two occasions. First, as the medical staff cautiously used its instruments to examine the child, mother and father asked whether the child was “perfect’” if there were any signs of trisomy.

On hearing this, I felt uncomfortable, wondering silently “What if there are? and “Does it matter?”

The technician’s response was negative, but had it come back Yes, what would be the child’s fate? Would it be loved?

No sooner had I gained some modicum of composure that I was startled a second time.

The staff adroitly moved the sonic probe over my friend’s abdomen gradually revealing on the video monitor the clitoral lips: it’s a girl.

The joy was obviously subdued. Mother said that she had hoped for a boy yet quickly reconciled herself. Father, on the other hand, remained unreconciled; His displeasure was palpable. Eventually, he asked “Could you be wrong?” His sullenness remained as we left the hospital and walked along Côte-des-Neiges, until we parted company.

Our expectations about life and how fragile it is were more evident from an experience earlier in the day. I had traveled to the hospital from the Morgentaler mill on Saint Joseph Blvd. There I had witnessed upwards to a dozen young ladies enter the building during my hour-long prayer vigil. That is, a dozen terminations of life over a sixty minute period in a mill open 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.

Is the battle to form a civilization of love a losing one? Amid these victories of death, you’d think so.

Yet, a different answer emerges from an event earlier on the same day. I began this day, as every other one, with the Eucharist. Here, I participate in the greatest act of sacrifice done anywhere by anyone, for all time. I witness the ultimate sign of victory, victory of life over death, of love over hate.

I then carry this victory with me and share it with those whom I meet.

Regardless of the arrival of euthanasia legislation, of the visceral reactions of parents, of the tens of women who present themselves daily at the Morgentaler mill, Christ has shown us the way to victory, to our salvation.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Cor 15:55

Once again, thank you for your on-going support - both in prayer and financially, of our pro-life efforts on behalf of the unborn and the vulnerable.

Yours respectfully,

Brian Jenkins,

Outreach Coordinator, Quebec Life Coalition

Dear Friends of Life,

What kind of prayer warrior are you?

Pictured below are three important warriors participating on a daily basis in the prayer vigil for the end of abortion – the 40 Days for Life.

We see John, Charlotte (seated) and Sr. Leah. Each represents a different and essential component of the team praying outside the Morgentaler abortion mill on Saint-Joseph Blvd.

John shows up three times each day. First, he arrives at about 8:30 a.m. and immediately dons two signs about his neck and proceeds to pace along the sidewalk for up to forty-five minutes. He returns for a second 45 minute stroll in mid-afternoon and yet another just before closure at 7 p.m. He represents a first type of prayer warrior.

A second type is personified by Charlotte. Less peripatetic than John, she comes at the beginning of each day, seating herself, keeping a firm hand on the vigil banner and providing a joyful banter to one and all. She spends a few hours at the site before heading out, though when called upon, longer.

Yet, a third type of warrior is Sister Leah. Member of a local Franciscan community of sisters whose convent is nearby, she spends much of her time in the community’s chapel praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Like John, she enjoys her walks and so visits those of us at the vigil a couple of times each day, offering words of encouragement. She also provides me with a daily bowl of warm soup.

So, what kind of prayer warrior are you?

I suspect that you are your own personal and unique type.

We are unique one from the other. Every child knit in his mother’s womb represents something intrinsically new and never to be replicated. As this child grows and develops, such is done in a never seen way, before or ever after.

How this child matures in his or her relationship with God is unique as well. Whether a John, a Charlotte, or a Leah, we all will blossom at our rate as along as we remain open to God’s will for us on a daily basis.

I have seen as much during this and past vigils. Yesterday, for example, Qui’An came to join me at the vigil location, bringing along a devotion that I had never seen before – the chaplet of Saint Gertrude. For the next thirty minutes she coached me through its recitation. I considered this blessing.

I’ve been graced with the same from others. Here’s a sampling:

• Margarida: Devotion to the Sorrows of Mary
• Maria Pilar: Way of the Cross
• Andre: Chaplet of the Precious Blood
• Carole: Chaplet of Rosa Mystica The graces are flowing.

On a Thursday mid-afternoon, I was approached by a young woman. She told me that she had made the momentous decision to keep her baby. She was scheduled that afternoon to abort her eleven week old unborn child at the Morgentaler mill but instead had a change of heart. She got up, left,and crossed the street to tell me about her decision. May God be praised.

The results of our prayers are not always as tangible. Yet in faith we continue to ask God to heed us.

So, what kind of prayer warrior? Let me know.

Until then, thank you for your on-going support of our ministry, both in prayer and financially. It helps to promote values important for our society and to come to aid in a very concrete manner, outside an abortion mill in a very impious sector of Montreal.

Wishing one and all a Blessed Easter,

Brian A. Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator

Dear Friends of Life,

Blessed Lenten greetings to you and your loved ones.

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are integral elements to our Lenten observance. Dare I suggest two more: advocacy and education.

ADVOCACY - I wish to encourage you, during Lent, to acts of advocacy against an all too long provincial governmental practice of funding abortions In this mail out you will find three inserts aiding to this end.

First you will find a poster. This may be conspicuously placed so to inform your neighbours about this hideous policy.

Second, you will also find a defund abortion letter. Addressed to the provincial finance minister, we invite you to read, sign, and mail it to the Honourable Mr. Nicolas Marceau expressing your disagreement with governmental paid in full abortions.

Finally, also included herewith is a petition for you to invite friends, family, and like-minded persons to sign. Mailing this will also strengthen our position.

Remember, a unified voice has clout. No better example of this is the recent interruption of the euthanasia legislation, bill 52 – also known as Medical Aid In Dying. A vocal, unified front of physicians, non-professionals, disabled person groups, and others, both within and outside Québec, expressing disapproval for this piece of law-to-be thwarted its acceptance in the National Assembly.

(Another Lenten deed you may wish to get involved with is the April 10, 2014, day of protest. Whether meeting with your MNA on that date or gathering outside his or her local riding office, it is important to bring you our opposition to this unconscionable practice of funding abortions.

EDUCATION - In addition to advocacy, we also believe that education is fundamental to rid the blinders that are obscuring Quebecers about the harm of abortion.

To this end, we are making available a small yet powerful little booklet entitled “Sharing the Pro-Life Message.” Though published in the US and containing many facts and figures from south of the border, the booklet is helpful, nevertheless for us as it touches on generic information about the pro-life movement such as how to share the message, life in the womb, addressing pro-choice arguments, among others.

With a small financial gift, I would be delighted to mail one to you.

A second educational tool is our yearly congress.

In 2010, the Quebec City congress garnered much media attention and brought much attention to our work. Our invited guest then prelate of Quebec City, Mgr. Marc Ouellet, spoke powerfully about the sanctity of life in the womb and the inherent harm of abortion, irking the sensitivities of many within the culture of death, particularly the media.

Likewise our 2012 congress in Sherbrooke, Qc, did not go unnoticed either. Occurring during the “printemps érable” period, many disenfranchised college age youth attempted to disrupt the proceedings but were met with vigilante congress attendees, thwarting their plans.

This fall, as the leaves turn into their fabulous hues, we will meet once again and discuss how to bring colour back to the pallor that characterises much of Quebec culture. The theme remains to be determined, yet our speakers will undoubtedly discuss such topics as: abortion defunding, obstructing the euthanasia agenda, the education of our youth, among others.

There you have it: advocacy and education, two bulwarks that we at the Quebec Life Coalition foster in our efforts to maintain the values on which our province was founded and which today have been deemed “passé” by Quebec’s intelligentsia.

Thank you for your on-going support in these and other projects and have a blessed Lenten period.

For life,

Brian A. Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator