March for Life back on Parliament Hill

OTTAWA -- The largest annual pro-life event in Canada will be on back on Parliament Hill in the nation’s capital in May, according to a key event organizer, although how many pro-life Canadians will actually rally in Ottawa at the March For Life remains an open question.

COVID-19 saw the cancellation of last year’s in-person rally.

“We will be on the Hill. We don’t need a permit to protest and some of us will definitely be there,” said Debbie Duval, the Campaign Life Coalition co-ordinator for Ottawa.

March for Life events will held be May 9-14 and include a scaled-down rally and march on Parliament Hill on May 13.

“During this whole time abortions have been considered an essential service and they have continued on throughout this whole (COVID) situation. They haven’t stopped, so we will definitely be there,” Duval told Canadian Catholic News of the planned hybrid event.

Campaign Life Coalition, which organizes the annual March For Life , said this year’s theme is “You Are Not Alone.”

“To the pregnant mother, fearing an unknown future, you are not alone. To the beloved senior, who is feeling afraid and isolated, you are not alone, and to the child in the womb, who is dehumanized by our society today, you are not alone,” Campaign Life said in its newsletter. “Join us on May 9-14, as we embark on another ‘virtual’ March For Life week, and hopefully, an in-person rally and march on May 13 in Ottawa.”

The week-long schedule of virtual events will include the annual Rose Dinner, Candlelight Vigil and the Youth Conference. The pro-life film festival returns with several movies lined up for the week of the march.

Duval said it is important that pro-life Canadians know there will once again be an extensive online line-up of activities as it’s unknown what the COVID 19 situation will be in Ottawa in May, and organizers understand that many people may not feel comfortable gathering in person.

“It is important that everyone can participate and stand together, whether that is in person or not,” Duval said.

Details will be released at www.marchforlife.ca.