Aside from Mark Carney declaring on March 23 that he “absolutely support(s) a woman’s right to choose, unreservedly,” in response to a reporter’s question, federal candidates’ stances on abortion have not significantly factored into the national conversation in the opening weeks of Canada's election campaign.

This dynamic is unlikely to dramatically change in the days ahead. Navigating relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, and affordability to a lesser degree, have emerged as the defining issues of this election cycle.

Yet no matter the political landscape presented to them, Canada’s pro-life community marches on, advocating for this nation to embrace a culture of life at the ballot box.

Advertisement

RightNow, an organization that works to nominate and elect pro-life politicians, has mobilized over 500 volunteers to canvass on behalf of 104 identified right-to-life MP candidates. The activists have been dispatched to swing ridings across the country.

“The movement has responded far better than I thought,” said RightNow co-founder Scott Hayward, a Catholic from Brandon, Man. “The polls don't look great for the Conservatives, but for pro-life Conservatives, we're finding lots of people to get out there and support them. And that should make a pretty big difference if it's a tight race.”

The 34-year-old suggested that phone calls and knocking on doors can help “move the needle two, three, maybe five percentage points.”

Campaign Life Coalition, the political arm of the Canadian pro-life movement, is poised to unveil its guide of candidates who believe life begins at conception. The organization gathers information via written questionnaires and direct conversations with aspiring parliamentarians.

Advertisement

Jeff Gunnarson, national president of Campaign Life, lauded the resolute crusading for life from staff and supporters young and old in an unfavourable environment.

“Our pro-life supporters have been with us, many from the get-go, 40-plus years,” said Gunnarson. “And many of them are brand new. There is just a whole raft of them who are willing to stay the course. And it's their faith, whether they be Protestant Christians or Catholics, their faith keeps them going. It's not Campaign Life necessarily. We have very, very deeply held religious support. People who deeply hold their faith close to their hearts. And they know abortion is a blight on society. They know it's wrong. They'll do everything and anything they can to end it.”

The statement made by Carney, a Catholic, is a focal point of Campaign Life’s early messaging efforts. The group released a press release calling on Canada’s Catholic bishops to respond to the Liberal Party leader’s sentiments.

“We would love to have instruction from the (Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops) to inform the lay Catholic about if what Carney is saying is true and faithful to Catholic teaching,” said Gunnarson.

In a news release, Gunnarson urges “Canada’s bishops not to remain silent. This is not about politics; it is about truth, life and the integrity of the Catholic faith. If the Church does not speak now, it risks scandalizing the faithful and undermining its own witness to the sanctity of every human life.”

Meanwhile, Hayward said he does not yet know if Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre or Carney “is more difficult to deal with on pro-life issues.” Poilievre has long promised not to re-open the issue in Parliament should he be elected prime minister.

Advertisement

While noting Carney himself “unfortunately stands relatively pro-abortion,” Hayward said RightNow will liaise with Liberal candidates who are not current MPs to ascertain if Carney could still shift from his predecessor’s 2014 decision to ban pro-life candidates from joining Liberal ranks and from introducing or voting on pro-life legislation.

“Should he adopt (a new) position, that would be a huge change from the previous leader, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,” said Hayward. “That opens up a lot of doors and opportunities for us. We will see if any pro-life Liberals are running right now in this election. If they are running in winnable ridings, we will see if we can help them out and encourage our supporters to vote for a pro-life Liberal if the Liberal is the most winnable pro-life candidate in that riding.”