New Canadian studies give increased evidence that some Canadian couples arepractisingsex-selective
abortion – aborting females out of
a preference for male babies.
Sex selection is banned in Canada with assisted reproductive
treatment (in vitro fertilization),
but with no law around abortion,
there is also no regulation that
makes it illegal to choose to abort
female children over male.
The “Sex Ratios at Birth After
Induced Abortion” report published in April in the Canadian
Medical Association Journal notes
that skewed male:female birth
ratios have been noted in certain
immigrant groups, particularly
with the third child.
Indian-born women in Canada,
who had already given birth to two
babies, went on to give birth to 138
boys for every 100 girls. If they had
three children already, that rate rose
to 166 boys for every 100 girls. Researchers concluded that the high
male:female birth ratios among
babies born to women who emigrated from India are associated with
induced abortions, especially in the
second trimester of pregnancy. It is
“These new
studies confirm
what we already
know – the most
extreme type of
discrimination
against girls
and women is
happening in
Canadian hospitals
and abortion clinics.
It is tragic that
our country has
no restrictions on
a procedure that
takes human life,
that deliberately
targets and ends
the lives of girls.”
– BRUCE J. CLEMENGER, President
of the EFC
AT ISSUE
Sex-selective abortions
The reality of women aborting females because of a preference for
a male baby continues to grow in Canada, and highlights the need
for legal restrictions around abortion
What can you do?
Contact your Member of Parliament and ask them if they have seen the
report ( www.cmaj.ca). Encourage them to read it and raise it in Parliament,
asking for new laws to be considered to place some restrictions around
abortion in Canada. Visit www.theEFC.ca/abortion for updates on this issue
and more.
4,472
NUMBER OF MISSING
DAUGH TERS OF
INDIAN IMMIGRAN TS
TO CANADA OVER THE
LAST 20 YEARS
W W W.NATIONALPOS T.CA
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usually at the second trimester
ultrasound (between 18 and 22
weeks) that a couple can have the
sex of their baby confirmed.
“In certain Asian countries,”
notes the report, “a higher-than-ex-
pected male:female ratio at birth is
thought to be a product of sex dis-
crimination fuelled by the prefer-
ence for sons.”
The pro-life movement in Canada,
including The Evangelical Fellow-
ship of Canada, has already pub-
lished its own discussion papers on
this issue in recent years.
Mike Schouten, director of
WeNeedaLAW.ca, spoke for many
in his response to the latest report.
“Preventing the birth of baby girls
through sex selective abortions is
an affront to the dignity and equal-
ity of women and girls. We call on
Prime Minister Trudeau and the
entire government to condemn
sex-selective abortion and lead a
discussion on restrictions that
would end this practice, and bring
us in line with every other Western
nation in this regard.”
The EFC will continue to inter-
act with Members of Parliament
about the need for restrictions
around abortion in Canada. /FT
