March for Life: Thousands Gather to Defend the Sanctity of Life in Canada (Video)

Several thousand people gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday for Canada’s 25th annual “March for Life” pro-life rally, calling for an end to abortion and euthanasia in Canada. The event, known as Ottawa’s March for Life, draws a significant crowd of anywhere between five to fifteen thousand people. It is held on Canada’s Parliament Hill and typically involves a march through downtown areas. However, despite its substantial turnout, the media coverage of the March for Life remains disproportionately limited in mainstream media outlets.

Advocating for the Sanctity of Life:

“We need to protect all human beings from conception to natural death. We are all made in the likeness and image of God, and we all deserve protection,” said Debbie Duval, the national capital organizer for the Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), which organizes the March for Life.

The crowd, motivated by the year’s “Stand Firm” theme, gathered on the hill for prayer, music, and speeches before partaking in their annual March for Life through Ottawa’s downtown. Pro-life supporters of all ages carried signs saying “Love Life, Choose Life,” “Your Mother Chose Life,” and “Abortion Kills Babies, Adoption Is An Option.” At the same time, a dozen pro-abortion counter-protestors flashed signs saying, “Misogyny Kills More Than Abortion,” “Women Are Not Baby Incubators,” and “My Body My Choice.”

Voices of Reason

Various speakers at the rally expressed their views on abortion and euthanasia, emphasizing the need to protect the sanctity of life. Julia Bissonnette, a member of the youth organizing committee for CLC, spoke against abortion even in cases of impregnation by sexual assault, stating that abortion is “not the more merciful choice” and can further victimize women. Instead, she advocated for providing resources and support to help women navigate their circumstances and make informed choices.

Another pro-life supporter, Janet Breen, highlighted the significance of recognizing the existence of two lives after conception, stating, “After you’ve got another body, a baby growing in you, you don’t just have one life, you have two.” Breen emphasized that ending the culture of accepting abortion trivializes the power and value of life and the importance of healthy sexuality.

Challenging MAiD Laws

The rally also focused on Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) laws, which have been criticized for their relaxed nature. Recent legislation, such as Bill C-7, has raised concerns about expanding euthanasia to minors and individuals with mental illness. Speakers at the March for Life expressed their opposition to these laws, highlighting the need to protect vulnerable individuals and reaffirming that human rights begin at conception.

One particularly poignant story shared at the rally was that of Cpl. Christine Gauthier, a veteran and Paralympian who, was offered MAiD by a caseworker from Veterans Affairs Canada. Gauthier expressed her anguish at the very idea of being offered euthanasia, considering her ongoing battle against suicidal thoughts. Her moving testimony resonated with the crowd and highlighted the need to protect vulnerable individuals, advocating for the right to live and thrive.

Conservative MP Arnold Viersen, another speaker at the rally, condemned the current MAiD laws, stating that they essentially create an exemption to homicide. He emphasized the importance of recognizing human rights for all members of society, regardless of their size or stage of development. He stressed that modern medical science supports the understanding that human life begins at conception.

Photo of the day: Conservative MP Arnold Viersen attends an anti-abortion rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 11, 2023, for the Campaign Life Coalition’s annual March for Life.

Photograph by @andrewjmeade https://t.co/1HbtuSfzCm pic.twitter.com/AUFsKTnKts

— The Hill Times (@TheHillTimes) May 12, 2023

Media Coverage Disparity

Despite the significant turnout and the profound impact of the March for Life within the pro-life movement, media coverage of the event remains disproportionately limited in mainstream outlets. Smaller left-wing protests tend to receive extensive attention, while the March for Life, with its diverse and passionate supporters, is often overlooked or misrepresented. This disparity raises questions about the prevailing biases within major media outlets, which champions a pro-abortion stance.

Moreover, when coverage is provided, it often lacks objectivity and fairness. Media narratives tend to focus on confrontations between pro-life demonstrators and counter-protestors rather than delving into the underlying reasons and convictions that drive the pro-life movement. This skewed portrayal perpetuates a distorted narrative that fails to capture the depth of the pro-life perspective and the diversity of its supporters. By focusing on sensationalized aspects and omitting the core message of protecting human life, media coverage undermines the importance and significance of the March for Life.

The Changing Dynamics: Planned Parenthood’s Permit

This year’s March for Life witnessed a notable change as Planned Parenthood applied for and received a permit for their own demonstration, securing nearly half of the total space on Parliament Hill. Usually, the March for Life occupies the entire front lawn.

The pro-abortion counter-protestors flashed signs saying, “Misogyny Kills More Than Abortion,” “Women Are Not Baby Incubators,” and “My Body My Choice. Interestingly, the irony prevailed as some of the very faces engaged in these chants had been actively protesting against freedom of vaccine choice in previous years.

While previous marches were marred by the hostile counter-protestors who verbally abused the predominantly Christian and Catholic attendees, this year’s organized space division fostered a safer environment for the pro-life supporters. Speakers and participants at the event promoted love and respect for the pro-abortion demonstrators, urging dialogue and understanding rather than confrontation.

Protect every life

The March for Life in Ottawa is a powerful demonstration of the pro-life movement’s determination to protect all human beings, including the unborn and those vulnerable to euthanasia. Despite the limited mainstream media coverage and the presence of counter-protestors, the rally continues to draw passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds who firmly believe in the sanctity of life. Their unwavering commitment to advocating for alternatives to abortion, supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies, and defending the rights of all human beings is a testament to the power of their conviction and their desire to build a culture that values and protects every life.