Life Tag

25 Jun 2021 What does it mean to be a good citizen? Disagreeing well… even on abortion

Last week a student from my church invited me to present to her high school civics class on the question, “What does it mean to be a good citizen?” Since I work with ARPA Canada and interact often with the civil government, she thought that I would know something about – or at least have opinions on – the topic. I love giving lectures to high schools and university groups. It’s a highlight of my job. But what made this invitation a little more unique is that the school is a...

Read More

29 Apr 2021 Abortion: A Federal Budget Priority

A government budget tells us what their current priorities are. This year’s Federal budget shows multiple priorities for the government in the upcoming months. Among other details listed, the government includes a section which focuses on ‘Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Information and Services.’ It’s not very long, but there are a number of items in this section that stand out. The government treats abortion (as a part of ‘sexual and reproductive health care') as something which Canada needs to support wholeheartedly and provide unfettered access to. According...

Read More

22 Mar 2021 Conservative Convention Debrief

Last week, the Conservative Party of Canada held its bi-annual policy convention. Due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, this convention was held virtually, enabling a record number of delegates to attend this year. Conventions are opportunities for members of political parties to come together, build the party, and prepare for the next election. At this virtual convention, delegates participated in campaign training, watched Conservative leader Erin O’Toole outline the party’s post-COVID-19 recovery plan, voted for national councillors (who help run and direct the party), voted on changes to the party constitution, and,...

Read More

20 Mar 2021 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario Consultation

The CPSO is the regulatory body for all medical professionals in Ontario. Physicians are required to register with the CPSO, who will then monitor quality of care and investigate and discipline any doctors who do not follow professional conduct as described in the various policies. Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying, the CPSO has no authority over the existing legislation or changes to it – this would fall to Federal and Provincial legislatures, or to the courts. However, the CPSO does have jurisdiction over the policies given to doctors regarding how...

Read More

11 Mar 2021 Press Release: MPs set to vote on a “life and death” bill

For immediate release from the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada March 11, 2021 OTTAWA, ON – The Liberals, with the help of the Bloc Québecois, have just voted to end debate on Bill C-7. This means that later this evening, Members of Parliament will be voting on Senate amendments to Bill C-7 which expands Medical Assistance in Dying. The New Democrats and the Conservatives have indicated they will be opposing the Senate amendments that were added to the bill within the past number of weeks.   “The Senate has radically expanded this already...

Read More

10 Feb 2021 Online porn industry under government scrutiny – ARPA submits policy brief to Ethics Committee

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Information, Privacy, and Ethics is studying the question of 'Protection of Privacy and reputation on Platforms such as Pornhub.' As we discussed in previous posts (here from Dec 17th and here from Jan 27th), the December 4, 2020 New York Times exposé on the porn industry has brought a welcome level of concerned attention to the website and business model of Pornhub and the Mindgeek corporation based in Montreal. Parliament needs to address the fact that these sites host videos of violent...

Read More

02 Feb 2021 Press Release: ARPA Canada Supports UN’s Stance that Disability Status is Not a Reason for MAiD

For immediate release from the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada February 2, 2021 OTTAWA, ON – Experts from the United Nations have released a press statement declaring, “Disability is not a reason to sanction medically assisted dying… Disability should never be a ground or justification to end someone’s life directly or indirectly.” These experts express “alarm at a growing trend to enact legislation enabling access to medically assisted dying based largely on having a disability or disabling conditions, including in old age… [and] concern at the lack of involvement of people...

Read More

01 Feb 2021 United Nations say disability should not be a reason for MAiD

On January 25th, experts from the United Nations released a press statement declaring, "Disability is not a reason to sanction medically assisted dying." “UN human rights experts today expressed alarm at a growing trend to enact legislation enabling access to medically assisted dying based largely on having a disability or disabling conditions, including in old age… Disability should never be a ground or justification to end someone’s life directly or indirectly… The experts also expressed concern at the lack of involvement of people with disabilities, as well their representative organizations, in...

Read More

18 Jan 2021 Kill the Bill

It is our hope and prayer that you will join us in calling on the Senate to Kill the Bill. ARPA supporters will be very familiar with Bill C-7 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code – medical assistance in dying). The bill was introduced by the Minister of Justice on September 23, 2020, in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Truchon v. Attorney General of Canada. ARPA Canada has engaged extensively with Bill C-7 at every step of the way. We outlined our concerns with Bill C-7 through...

Read More

05 May 2020 2020 National Pro-Life Prayer Service

Each year we host a national prayer service in the nation's capital. This year we are holding a prayer service online instead. Pastor Winston Bosch, pastor of Ottawa's Jubilee Canadian Reformed Church will lead us through a meditation, and then several prayers will be offered on this day of the March for Life. Join us: Thursday, May 14: 11 am EDT, 10 am CDT, 9am MST, 8am PST This event will be livestreamed to our Facebook page, and to our Youtube Page. Watch on Facebook!Watch on Youtube!    ...

Read More