March for Life in Victoria attracts hundreds amid U.S. abortion debate
Hundreds marched in B.C.'s capital Thursday as part of the annual March for Life rally, which took place as a heated debate rages in the United States about an expected court decision overturning a person's right to abortion.
Many of those attending carried signs and prayed as they took to the legislature steps.
Father Thomas Lynch told the crowd the fight against abortion is not over.
"How often have you been told shut up the debate's over, lie down, it's done?" he asked the crowd, before lamenting that “woke culture” had taken over.
Holding pro-choice signs at the demonstration were two NDP MLAs: Bowinn Ma and Aman Singh.
Grace Lore, the parliamentary secretary for gender equity told CTV News the rules here are different and ending abortion rights wouldn't be easy.
"The decision that we're seeing in the states won't happen here,” she said. “Not us, not now, and not ever.”
In a statement, BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon said the party supports a woman's right to choose abortion and will fight against attempts to restrict or revoke that right.
No current Liberal MLAs were seen at the event, although former MLA Laurie Throness – who resigned from the party ahead of the 2020 election – did attend.
Advocates fighting for better access to abortions and contraception point out while abortion is legal, many barriers still exist when it comes to reproductive rights.
Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaraff is a co-founder of Access B.C. He said the costs for contraception can be immense, and then there are additional challenges.
"If you live in a rural or remote community, you have to pay for transportation to and from a clinic. You have to pay for child care if you have children, take time off work or school, and those costs all add up," he told CTV News.
Asked about the NDP government's work to increase abortion access, Lore pointed to a 2018 change that provided the abortion pill Mifegymiso for free.
"There's still work to do, especially in rural and remote areas, but the access to medical abortion free and available at pharmacies is huge," said Lore.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
China rebukes U.S., Canadian navies for Taiwan Strait transit
China's military rebuked the United States and Canada for 'deliberately provoking risk' after the countries' navies staged a rare joint sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
Alcohol policies in every province, territory receive failing grade in meeting public health standards: report
A new report has found that alcohol policies in all provinces and territories are failing to meet public health standards.
Four kids and one man drown after Quebec fishing accident: provincial police
A fishing excursion ended in tragedy on Saturday when four children died in a village in northeastern Quebec, provincial police said.
Antipsychotic drugs use increased in Canadian long-term care homes, pointing to possible quality-of-care issues: study
New study finds increase in antipsychotic drugs use in long-term care homes across Canada, despite no significant increase in behavioural symptoms – something that may expose a potential area of concern for quality of care, researchers say.
Officials declare Halifax-area wildfire largely contained as rain brings relief
Heavy rain and some military reinforcements arrived to assist efforts on Saturday to quell the wildfires that have destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of thousands of people across Nova Scotia.
Forest fires in Northern Quebec: Another 2,000 evacuated from their homes
Another northern Quebec town was evacuated due to an out of control wildfire on Saturday as the federal government confirmed that Canadian Forces personnel would be deployed to help combat forest fires in the province.
'Very good outcome' for sale of Ottawa Senators expected in the next few weeks, NHL Commissioner says
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the process to sell the Ottawa Senators is moving forward as "quickly as possible," and the New York-based company overseeing the sale is advising to "expect a very good outcome in the next few weeks."
Fighting climate change or funding fossil fuels? America wants it 'both ways': U.S. ambassador
The U.S. Ambassador to Canada says America 'absolutely wants to have it both ways' when it comes to fighting climate change while pursuing fossil fuel projects.
More than 5,000 new species discovered at future deep-sea mining site in Pacific Ocean
More than 5,000 new species have been discovered at an expansive future deep-sea mining site in the Pacific Ocean.
Vancouver Island
-
Disease and climate change put pressure on bees and their keepers: apiary inspector
Without bees, there is no food, so keeping hives healthy is of utmost importance. That job is becoming more difficult thanks to an outbreak of disease and the effects of climate change.
-
Woman missing for over 2 weeks may be traveling across B.C.: Sidney RCMP
Mounties are seeking the public’s help to locate Nancy Wilde, who was last seen on May 17.
-
Oak Bay Tea Party returns for 61st year
The Oak Bay Tea Party is returning to Willows Beach for its 61st year this weekend.
Calgary
-
Calgary Ukrainian Festival welcomes in thousands
Thousands of people are spending the weekend soaking up Ukrainian culture and welcoming new Canadians to the city.
-
Nanton RCMP investigating 2 break and enters at golf course
Nanton RCMP are investigating a pair of break-and-enters that took place at the maintenance shop of the Nanton Golf Course.
-
Employees often 'collateral damage' when activist investors come calling
Experts say 1,500 recently announced job losses at Suncor Energy Inc. are an example of the type of "collateral damage" that can occur when an activist investor comes calling.
Edmonton
-
Alberta state of emergency to expire Sunday: Officials
As of midnight Saturday, Alberta will no longer be under a provincial state of emergency.
-
'Some hugs and some paint': Local artists rally around painter after fire destroys artwork
A local artist is starting from scratch after a fire burnt down his garage with his supplies and artwork inside.
-
Young Master Club celebrates 16 years with Taekwondo demonstration
The Young Master Club celebrated its 16th anniversary with a Taekwondo festival at the Alberta Avenue Community League, where students showcased their techniques.
Toronto
-
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.
-
Suspects arrested in near-deadly Kennedy Station stabbing between 12 and 15 years old
Toronto police say the five suspects involved in a stabbing at Kennedy Station Friday night that left a man in critical condition are between the ages of 12 and 15 years old.
-
Woman dead, second adult and child both in critical condition after Brampton house fire
A woman is dead and a second adult and a child are both in critical condition after a fire broke out at a residence in Brampton on Friday night.
Montreal
-
Four kids and one man drown after Quebec fishing accident: provincial police
A fishing excursion ended in tragedy on Saturday when four children died in a village in northeastern Quebec, provincial police said.
-
Man discovered fatally shot in downtown apartment: Montreal police
Montreal police (SPVM) is investigating a homicide in downtown Montreal, where a man was found shot dead on Saturday.
-
Montreal hot sauce makes spicy new addition to YouTube show 'Hot Ones'
La Pimenterie's Curry Verde is the hot new thing on 'Hot Ones,' a hit celebrity interview show on YouTube.
Winnipeg
-
'Such a proud day': Red River Metis vote on historic modern-day treaty
It was a historic day in Manitoba. From across Canada, an estimated 4,000 Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) citizens showed up in person or online for an extraordinary general assembly.
-
Three teens arrested in connection to multiple St. Vital bear spray attacks
Three teenagers face robbery and assault charges after a pair of bear spray attacks in St. Vital Thursday evening.
-
'Extremely generous': Viral social media post gets Winnipeg man free wings for a year
Winnipegger Howie Prociuk was on a father/son trip south of the border to see the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis last month, when a funny thought occurred to him.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon students say high school is censoring Pride week
Students at a Catholic school in Saskatoon say their high school is restricting and censoring Pride week celebrations.
-
Admission by donation takes effect for Saskatoon’s Diefenbaker Canada Centre
The University of Saskatchewan Diefenbaker Canada Centre (DCC) will be switching to admission by donation for guests and visitors.
-
May mosquito counts nearly double 10-year average for Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon’s mosquito counts are up this May, but it’s still too early to tell how many will invade this summer.
Regina
-
Environment Canada warns of potential for severe thunderstorms across Saskatchewan
Canada's national weather service is yet again warning Saskatchewan residents of the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across the province.
-
'Wonderful work of art': Regina Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers mark $1M fundraising milestone
For years Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers in Regina have helped make an impact across the globe. Now they celebrate a monumental milestone, marking $1 million raised.
-
Connor Bedard marks historic win at Canadian Hockey League Awards
Connor Bedard, Regina Pats captain and highly anticipated first round NHL draft pick, marked his final hat trick in junior hockey on Saturday.
Atlantic
-
Officials declare Halifax-area wildfire largely contained as rain brings relief
Heavy rain and some military reinforcements arrived to assist efforts on Saturday to quell the wildfires that have destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of thousands of people across Nova Scotia.
-
City of St. John's charges 70-year-old woman for feeding pigeons in her backyard
A Newfoundland woman says her 70-year-old mother is facing a $5,000 fine for feeding pigeons in her backyard in downtown St. John's.
-
New Brunswickers stand united in support of Policy 713
A Saturday afternoon rally in Moncton highlighted support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students as the provincial government continues a controversial review.
London
-
Museum London honours the Afzaal family with a new exhibit
On Saturday, Museum London launched a brand-new display honouring the Afzaal Family
-
WATCH
WATCH | Wind turbine blaze 'contained' north of Goderich, Ont.
Todd Edginton could hardly believe his eyes when he looked out his back door to find a wind turbine on fire. He wasn’t alone, as people stopped just north of Goderich to see the spectacle unfold.
-
Teen taken to hospital after being struck by driver
A skateboarding teenager was taken to hospital after being hit by a driver in west London, Ont. on Saturday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
Currently 20 active forest fires in northeastern Ont.
There are 20 forest fires active in northeastern Ontario, including eight new confirmed fires reported Friday.
-
Northeastern Ontario under air quality advisories due to forest fires
Smoke plumes from Quebec are affecting air quality in northern Ontario, Environment Canada said Saturday.
-
Sudbury teacher found guilty of sexual misconduct, has licence revoked
A Sudbury teacher accused of having sex with a student has been found guilty of professional misconduct by the discipline committee of the Ontario College of Teachers.
Kitchener
-
'He knows this area, he’s been here before': Search continues for missing man last seen three weeks ago
It’s been three weeks since a 37-year-old man with down syndrome formerly from Waterloo region, went missing.
-
'Families are struggling': Day of action held in Kitchener
A day of action held across Ontario saw the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) taking aim at a number of issues impacting community members, such as the cost of living.
-