Conservative MP’s request to investigate definition personhood to be debated a second time June 7
By Nathan Rumohr
The B.C. Catholic

The battle between the culture of life and the culture of death will fight another round June 7 as MPs debate Stephen Woodworth’s Motion-312 for another hour.

Woodworth’s motion was first debated April 26 and it seeks to establish a committee to investigate the 400-year-old definition of a human being. That definition says personhood begins when a baby fully emerges from the womb. But Woodworth feels that modern science counters that antiquated definition.

"How many Canadians believe that birth is a moment of magical transformation that changes a child from a non-human to a human being? Very few," Woodworth said during his speech introducing M-312 April 26.

During the first hour of the debate, opposition parties framed the motion as an attack on women. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and many Conservative members also said they won’t vote for the motion.

The second hour of the debate beings at 2:30 p.m., Pacific Time. It was expected that the motion wouldn’t be voted on until the fall, something Campaign Life Coalition B.C. president John Hof finds fishy. “Harper doesn’t want his MPs talking about dead babies during the summer barbecue circuit.”

Hof isn’t optimistic the motion will pass, but he still thinks pro-lifers should press on. “I encourage people to contact their MP and challenge them to vote yes on this issue.”

He also encourages pro-life supporters use the “SimpleMail” program on weneedaLAW.ca. SimpleMail sends a pre-written email to any MP across Canada from the constituent’s email address.

Not all members of the Conservatives are against Woodworth’s motion. Conservative MP Brad Trost wrote an open letter to weneedaLAW.ca. In he said, “I encourage you to write or e-mail your Member of Parliament and ask him or her to support MP Stephen Woodworth’s Motion, Motion-312.

“If you have the time, visiting your Member of Parliament in person to discuss your support for Motion-312 is also very effective.”

nrumohr@rcav.org