A Conservative backbencher is staging a screening of the Christian-themed, anti-abortion film October Baby today on Parliament Hill.
“It’s a gripping and powerful, life-changing story of difficult forgiveness,” Maurice Vellacott told Post Media.
The film, released in 2012, is based on the story of Gianna Jessen who survived to birth after her mother attempted to have her aborted.
Vellacott, who represents the riding of Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, sent a letter to the RCMP in January that cited Statistics Canada figures that state 491 abortions performed after 20 weeks gestation between 2000 and 2009 resulted in live births.
“Therefore, based on Section 223(2) of the Criminal Code, there should be 491 homicide investigations or prosecutions in connection with these deaths,” Vellacott said.
Vellacott is not the only Conservative backbencher to attempt to reopen the abortion debate against Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s advice. In September, MP Stephen Woodworth put forward a private member’s bill asking Parliament to study the point at which a baby becomes a human being.
NDP MPs Olivia Chow and Françoise Boivin vocally opposed Woodworth’s bill, while Liberal MP and medical doctor Carolyn Bennett called it “despicable.”
Vellacott says he plans to challenge the prime minister on the topic of abortion during question period.
October Baby trailer
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