JULY 1999 BOX 39068, Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1 Tel:463-1611 Fax:463-1601

Through the Court Challenge Program a Toronto based lobby group, Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law, is now challenging Section 43 of the Criminal Code to outlaw spanking. In Sweden, where spanking was banned in l979, there were 22,000 children apprehended two years after the law came into effect. REAL Women of Canada, together with three other pro-family groups, is intervening in this case. To make spanking an illegal act is simply another way for the Government to interfere with parents' rights in raising their children. Let the politicians know where you stand.

PLEASE NOTE:

Because we have included a ready-to-print brochure on spanking and a petition on child pornography, our newsletter has been cut to four pages. Thanks for understanding.

The recent settlement of $8.7 million, probably the largest in Canada, over a failed abortion that resulted in a live birth and left a little girl brain-damaged and severely handicapped is a victory mixed with emotion.

The adoptive family of Ximena who was born at Vancouver General hospital 14 years ago launched a suit not for the money but to make the public aware that the staff at the hospital was negligent in not providing the necessities of life, a criminal act punishable under the law.

It is no surprise that the investigation took more than 5 years. The defendants had their reputations and careers at stake and they risked going to jail.

It all started when the birth mother suffered complications from an incomplete abortion which she had sought at a U.S. clinic and went to Vancouver General Hospital three days later where she delivered a baby at about 26 weeks gestation. The tiny infant was left in a room used to store aborted dead babies. It took 40 minutes before a decision was made to assist the crying baby clinging to life. But Ximena had to wait too long; her brain was deprived of oxygen and she suffered hypothermia.

Charter of Rights entitled Ximena to life, liberty and security of person. Was the staff reacting consciously or subconsciously to the fact that since that right has been denied to pre-born child for the last 30 years, Ximena's life had no value since the abortion should have ended her life? Or was the staff influenced, substantiated by the Coroner that 16 infants between 1995 and 1998 had death certificates issued? The deaths were due to termination of pregnancy induced abortion. Some of these babies lived from 15 minutes to 6 hours.

At Calgary's Foothill Hospital premature infants are born alive after genetic termination and are left to die. One such baby lived for 12 hours. The nurses are ordered not to care for these babies and they are compelled to assist in these late term induced deliveries/abortion leaving them open to prosecution.

Abortion advocates are big on choice but woe to anyone who gets in their way. Pregnant women most certainly are not served well by a pro-abortion "choice" that is hostile to them and their needs.

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A Department of Health proposal of a so-called "children's agenda," includes the possibility of implementing a universal day care program. The discussion paper, from Health Canada's Childhood and Youth Division, outlines services for parents and children, beginning from the child's conception to age six. The paper says, " It is increasingly unrealistic to expect that parents can undertake the task of ensuring early child development outcomes without systematic and structured support. The tasks are just too complicated and the competing demands on parents too engaging."

There will apparently be a 9 billion dollars surplus next year, of which Paul Martin, Minister of Finance, is now seemingly prepared to pay out at least 5 billion dollars to new programs, rather than provide healthy tax breaks for taxpaying Canadians. These programs could include many initiatives such as junior kindergarten scheme for children as young as three, early screening for children "at risk", as well as expanded day care. On balance, because universal day care is so expensive (estimated 8.7 billion over 5 years), the chances are the government will not proceed with it on a major scale - but it may provide funding for a more limited child care program.

However, let's not take a chance on any kind of new childcare scheme. Let the government know, in no uncertain terms, that universal childcare is simply NOT acceptable to Canadians.

It is highly probable that Jane Stewart, MP, newly appointed Minister of Human Resources would enthusiastically endorse a universal child care program.

Please let the other Cabinet Ministers know such a program is not politically sound, so they can speak against it in Cabinet. It is VERY important that we lobby against any possibility of a universal childcare program. Write to the following:

This year's provincial conference of REAL Women was held at the Days Inn Hotel (formally the Surrey Inn) in Surrey. Although the attendance was less than expected, the conference was a great success thanks to the outstanding speakers. Several men, representing three different local men's organizations, joined us as well. Apparently, they had heard of REAL Women of BC from various sources, realizing that many of the issues that REAL Women is concerned with are important to men as well. It also seems that these men recognized that here was women's organization that did not hate men. On the contrary, to all the "REAL Women" it is clear that men and women are in this play, called life, together. Greater things can be achieved by working together than working against each other.

The first speaker of the day was Mr. Eric Lowther, Reform MP from Calgary, Alberta. Mr. Lowther is the Chief Official Opposition Critic for Children and Families, Deputy Critic for the Department of Canadian Heritage, and he is also the chair of the Reform Family Caucus.

He spoke about how he became involved in politics and how it was a learning experience of growth and knowledge. Mr. Lowther voiced his concern for the traditional family, the war against it and the impact broken down families has on children. Mr. Lowther was very outspoken about his support for REAL Women and the help he has received many times from the national office. He states that whenever there are issues brought forth in parliament concerning women, family and children, REAL Women is there, fighting the good fight.

Senator Ann Cools expanded on what Mr. Lowther said. Her involvement with the committee that studied the Divorce Act gave Senator Cools great insight into what was happening in that area. She told the members about the horror stories of the breakdown of the family, the suffering of women, men and children. In particular, she addressed the problems many men face when going through a divorce. In a society where feminism seems to rule the courts, women generally get custody of the children. Fathers are struggling to see their children on a regular basis and have an impact on their upbringing. Senator Cools quoted a lesbian/feminist who apparently had said, "the ratio of men to women must be radically reduced so that men are 10% of the population". Senator Cools also mentioned the great work that REAL Women is doing and the impact the organization has in parliament. Changes to the Divorce Act are in the making, however very slowly.

Terry O'Neill is the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher of BC Report Magazine. Mr. O'Neill was talking about the hypocrisy of the media. He was pointing out that there is a political bias permeating the news reporting which is not acknowledged and sometimes not even recognized as such.

Laurie Geschke, the past vice-president of REAL Women of BC, who homeschools her four children, was speaking on home schooling and teaching a child with learning disabilities. Mrs. Geschke's story of her daughter's struggles and triumphs was very moving. It also was helpful to those members who are in similar situations, trying to find help for a child with learning disabilities.

Pia Shandel is a radio talk show host on AM 1410. Ms. Shandel is either loved or hated as she is very outspoken on contentious issues. Her show could be considered "politically incorrect" and that is probably where the strong feelings stem from. Ms. Shandel shared with the audience that she receives many letters from lawyers, threatening to sue. Although the topics that Ms. Shandel talked about are serious, such as feminism, break down of families, homosexuality, freedom of speech (or lack thereof), she presented her speech in a wonderfully humorous manner. It was a great way to lighten things up a bit as many of the topics discussed during the day were very heavy and thought provoking. When talking about freedom of speech Ms. Shandel commented that she does not have but Xtra West has it (a local homosexual newspaper). She talked about our system in Canada being a dictatorship in disguise.

Mary Anna Kaiser, the provincial representative to the national board, gave her report on the last national conference. Mrs. Kaiser is a faithful and hard and tireless worker for REAL Women. Although being very ill, she traveled to Toronto to participate at the national conference and represent the interests of REAL Women of BC.

On Friday, November 19, all Canadian children under 18 will be asked to go to polling stations in their schools and vote on the "Children's Rights Mandate". The UN, through UNICEF and Elections Canada wants our children to select their most important "right" from a list from the 54 articles of the UN's Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989, which all Canadian provinces have signed. (Alberta reluctantly signed later. The U.S. has refused to sign; American law has never recognized the concept of child autonomy.) The result of the vote will be presented to the federal government as a "Children's Rights Mandate." It is guaranteed to further erode parental authority. "The UN press release of July 12 wonders breathlessly whether boys and girls will select the right to healthcare, shelter or education? Will it be the right to express their opinions?"

Many parents fear the UN Convention that gives autonomous rights to children. Will their children have the right to refuse to go to church, join a gang, order pornography or have an abortion over the objections of their parents? The 10 member UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is charged with implementing the Convention. Last year the CRC informed the British that their children could not be exempted from certain public school programs - sex education for instance - at the request of the parents alone. They would be required to seek the child's consent. There is no reason to believe Canada will be any different. The UN has stated, "Comprehensive sex education in schools should be mandatory at all levels. This should cover sexual pleasure, confidence and freedom of sexual expression and orientation." (Comprehensive Sex Education was also turned down in the U.S. when President Clinton's healthcare initiative was rejected.)

Our schools are being conveniently used to fulfill a socialist political agenda to take young and impressionable minds and indoctrinate them along certain government lines. This is not the role of education. Furthermore, in Canada education is a provincial responsibility, not a federal one. This has bypassed Parliament, the provinces and school boards - all democratic institutions subject to the authority of voters and parents. Apparently, from a legal perspective, the schools are not required to participate. Even entire school districts have the right to decline to have their schools involved in this project. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is not binding within Canadian law as it has never be proclaimed by Parliament as mentioned in a Supreme Court decision called Baker v. Canada which was rendered July 9, l999.

If possible, obtain the current issue of BC Report, August 9, or access it through www.acionet.com/bc report. Alert your children, Sunday schools, youth pastors, parents and school boards. Letters from UNICEF and Elections Canada have already gone out to all schools, and information packages will be sent to teachers in September. It will be touted as a sensible way to help teach children about democracy (!). Ask your schools for copies of the information. Watch for propaganda during Halloween since UNICEF fundraises through schools at that time.

The State wants direct access to our children and knows that the only thing standing in between is the parents.

The first World Congress of Families was held March 19-22, l997 in Prague, the Czech Republic. This year's Congress will be held November 14-17, l999, in Geneva, Switzerland. From all over the globe, over 70 experts on the family will be speaking on topics such as "parental rights under assault", "the equal but complementary roles of men and women', religious faith and family strength", "the dignity and worth of human life" and many others. If you are interested in attending, please contact the World Congress of Families II, PMB 212, 6260 Eat Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL 61111, USA.

Through the generous donation of two tickets provided by a member, Doris Darvasi and Laurie Geschke will be able to represent REAL Women of BC in Geneva. However, expenses for such a trip (conference costs, accommodation, and food) are rather high and donations to cover the costs would be greatly appreciated.

The Columbine high school killings in Colorado have horrified people in the US and Canada. The big question everywhere was "how could such a thing have happened?" Now Oklahoma state legislators want to make sure that parents are aware that they have the legal right to spank their wayward children. The bill that reminds the parents of this right apparently passed the Oklahoma House by a vote of 96-4. Democratic Senator Frank Shurden, who initiated the bill, felt that children go haywire because they are not disciplined enough and properly.

In January this year the Supreme Court of BC struck down the law against basic possession of child pornography as being unconstitutional. In July the Court of Appeal of BC upheld that ruling. John Sharpe was charged with possession of child pornography. Mr. Sharpe defended himself in court declaring his constitutional right to freedom of expression. Justice Duncan Shaw as well as the Appeal Court agreed with Mr. Sharpe.

The Reform Party of Canada is urging the Parliament to invoke the notwithstanding clause to override the decision made by the BC Court of Appeal.

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