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
UPDATED | Ont. and Que. scramble to recover from thunderstorm that left at least 8 dead
Clean-up efforts are underway after a massive thunderstorm on Saturday left a trail of destruction in Southern Ontario and Quebec.

What is a 'derecho'? Climatologist explains Saturday's powerful storm
The storm that moved across Ontario and Quebec Saturday is known as a “derecho”, a powerful kind of windstorm that is long lasting and far-reaching.
How concerned should we be about monkeypox?
Global health officials have sounded the alarm over rising cases in Europe and elsewhere of monkeypox, a type of viral infection more common to west and central Africa. Here's what we know about the current outbreak and the relative risk.
Officials expect 3 to 4 days to restore power across Ottawa following storm
Hydro Ottawa says it will take several days to restore power and clean up after a severe storm damaged hydro poles and wires on Saturday.
43 CP Rail cars carrying potash derail east of Fort Macleod, Alta.
Clean up is underway after 43 CP Rail train cars carrying potash left the track Sunday morning east of Fort Macleod, Alta.
78,000 pounds of infant formula arrives in U.S.
A military plane carrying enough specialty infant formula for more than half a million baby bottles arrived Sunday in Indianapolis, the first of several flights expected from Europe aimed at relieving a shortage that has sent parents scrambling to find enough to feed their children.
Russia presses Donbas offensive as Polish leader visits Kyiv
Russia pressed its offensive in eastern Ukraine on Sunday as Poland's president traveled to Kyiv to support the country's European Union aspirations, becoming the first foreign leader to address the Ukrainian parliament since the start of the war.
Court to decide whether Happy the elephant deserves basic human rights
New York's highest court is set to determine whether Happy, a 47-year-old Asian elephant living at the Bronx Zoo, is being unlawfully imprisoned.
Some Jif peanut butter products recalled due to potential salmonella contamination
The makers of Jif peanut butter are urging Canadians to check their recent purchases as they issue a recall for some products due to potential salmonella contamination.