Henry Morgentaler

The end of an era

From the archives: Anne Collins on the man and his crusade

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson was asked this morning about Maurice Vellacott’s awarding of two Diamond Jubilee medals to anti-abortion activists, one of whom is currently in prison. And now Mr. Vellacott’s office has sent out a news release.

Must-reads: Graham Thomson in Afghanistan; George Jonas on the Order of Canada.

Less than two weeks ago, the National Post had public opposition to Dr. Morgentaler’s appointment at a robust 92%. But Angus Reid now puts support for the award at 60%.

As my colleague (and office neighbour) Chris Selley has pointed out, “Canada’s National Newspaper” is on a bit of a Don Cherry kick these days. Through some tortured logical process, both Rex Murphy and the Globe editorial board have decided that Henry Morgentaler’s nomination to the Order of Canada for his work on legalizing abortion doubles as a perfect springboard for bestowing the same honour on English Canada’s favourite blowhard.

Raymond Gravel is a bit of strange specimen: a gay, Catholic priest elected to the House of Commons under the Bloc Québécois banner. There certainly aren’t many politicians like him—he has the odd distinction of being the first Québécois priest elected to the House of Commons*—but there are probably even fewer men of the cloth who resemble him.

WEEKEND ROUNDUP

Must-reads: Colby Cosh, Chantal Hébert and John Robson on Henry Morgentaler; John Ibbitson on Obama’s rightward drift.

Helpfully enough, the Governor General’s website allows you to search Order of Canada appointments by name, province, citation and field—especially handy for those interested in easily finding honourees who offend them morally, ethically or personally . (I, for one, have never been fond of scientists from Newfoundland.)

Must-reads: Henry Aubin and Margaret Wente on Henry Morgentaler; Gary Mason on Michael Byers.

If staying in Ottawa for any period of time, one is likely to become well-acquainted with the sole steadfast protester who has worn a yellow groove in the Parliament Hill sod. Located, more days than not, to the right of the eternal flame is a man we’ll call the Loneliest Crusader. Not much of a talker, he lets a few rather graphic posters convey his rather strident objection to the practice of abortion—much to the visible chagrin of school kids who wander by on summer field trips.