Sex-selective abortion is the practice of aborting a fetus based on its sex. This debate is not the same debate as abortions in general, it is a debate about the consequences that sometime follow after finding out the sex of a fetus. There are times when doctors are requested to perform an abortion because the sex of the fetus was not the one the parent(s) desire.
The practice of sex-selective abortion has been happening around the world for a long time and was first noticed in 1975. The practice was commonplace by the late 1980s in South Korea and China where the birth rates were regulated due to government one-child policies, cultural preference and ancient practice that has been common in many cultures around the world.
The custom of dowry is most common in cultures that are strongly patrilineal and that expect women to reside with or near their husband’s family.
The selective abortion of female fetuses is most common where male children are seemingly valued over female children.
On February 26, 2020, Cathay Wagantall, MP Yorkton–Melville introduced the Sex-Selective Abortion Act (Bill C-233) in the House of Commons.
This bill was defeated during the second reading with a 248 – 82, with eighty-one Conservative Members of Parliament (roughly two-thirds of the caucus) voting in favour.
Wagantall reacted to this vote with a press release to the media stating,
“It was a privilege and honour for me to present this bill,” said Wagantall. “It came forward at the right time, as it’s clear that the vast majority of pro-choice and pro-life Canadians are against the practice of sex-selective abortion and would like it to be made illegal.”
Bill C-233 would have amended the Criminal Code to make it an offence for a medical practitioner to perform an abortion knowing that it is being sought on the grounds of the child’s sex. At Wednesday’s second reading vote, the House of Commons defeated the bill 82-248.
“Canada is the only democratic country in the world with no laws around abortion and, for that, we should be ashamed. This was a bill that reflected the hearts and minds of eighty-four percent of Canadians. The conversation and understanding amongst Canadians are growing. As I’ve said from the outset—if just one pre-born girl’s life is ended solely because of her sex, we need to act.”
When Wagontall was asked what her motivation to lobby this private members bill she replied, “I was motivated to table C-233 The Sex-Selective Abortion Act in the House of Commons for a number of reasons. First and foremost – to bring in protection for baby girls in the womb who are aborted simply because of their genetic sex.”
“When I tabled my first Private Members Bill – Cassis and Molly’s Law in 2016, it was a public safety bill – not an abortion law, that recognized as a second offence, the injury or death of a fetus during an attack on the mother.”
“People would say consistently say that they wanted to have access to abortion in Canada. After explaining the bill did not impact access to abortion, I would ask if they were okay with say… an abortion of a baby girl simply because she was a girl.”
“Appalled, they would say, ”No – that is illegal. An abortion can only take place legally in the first trimester in Canada.”
“When I would explain there are no laws against abortion at any time for any reason in Canada, they couldn’t believe it. I would have a petition with me against sex-selective abortion and invariably, they would sign it.”
“These truths also motivated me: Sex-selective abortions take place in Canada because we have no law against it. Sex-selective abortion is antithetical to our Prime Minister’s claim that we value equality between men and women at home and internationally. If we truly value human rights then we can’t allow – and as a result, affirm that sex-selective abortion is permissible in Canada. Peer-reviewed studies from the Canadian Medical Association Journal indicate a worrying trend. The Medical Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not support abortion on the basis of gender. The United Sikhs of Canada and the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society supported my bill and stressed the need for Canada to be a light to the rest of the world in its human rights stance of equality of the sexes. “
“When I had the amazing opportunity to present another Private Members Bill I decided it was time that there be a reasonable debate in the House of Commons on creating a law against sex-selective abortion.”
Cathay Wagontall continued with when asked if the defeat of this bill was what is best for Canadians, “Just as I was tabling my bill in the House, a 2019 Dart & Maru/Blue poll conducted for the National Post, found that 84% of Canadians believe it should be illegal to have an abortion if the family does not want the baby to be a certain sex.”
“Even though the majority of Canadians also indicated that they want access to abortion they also felt there should be some reasonable limitations. The bill reflects the perspective of the majority of Canadians. Unfortunately, the Liberal, NDP, Bloc and Green parties have made pro-abortion ideology a requirement to even be allowed to run in a nomination race to be a candidate for them in a federal election. In the Conservative party, we have open nomination races, our leader affirms our right to present a Private Members bill of our own choosing and for all caucus members to vote freely on issues of conscience. Although 1/3 of my Conservative colleagues didn’t support C-233, two-thirds did. I believe Canadians want their members of Parliament to respond to their own consciences and the views of their constituents and are exasperated and tired of political parties and leaders holding to an ideology that does not represent Canadians values. Unfortunately, those who voted against did not represent the pro-life or pro-choice communities, but the 16% of Canadians that are determined to continue to live in the only democratic country in the world that allows abortion at any time for any reason.”
The next step for Cathay Wagontal and the sex-selective issues facing Canada to remain that ethical country it is was well summed up when Wagantall stated, “Another poll was done shortly after the Dart & Maru/Blue poll indicated that 51% of Liberals and 61% of Bloc supporters who voted in the last election would support a party that had a law against sex-selective abortion as part of their platform.”
The Conservative party has a policy resolution that states that sex-selective abortion should not be permitted in Canada.
“I will continue to reflect the values and views of Canadians within my party and my caucus; continue to do forums and interviews as requested by organizations, faith-based groups and fellow parliamentarians; I will encourage Canadians to vote for candidates that reflect the equality between men and women, boys and girls at the earliest stages of life.”
By Gary Horseman
Four-Town+ Journal
garyfourtownjournal@gmail.com