Should Abortions be Outlawed (Part 1)

Canada is one of the few countries in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion, although regulations and accessibility vary according to provinces. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau’s government had brought in liberalized abortion laws, but in 1988 that law was struck down (in Regina versus Morgentaler) by the Supreme Court, and no government since then has brought forward a new law. Pro-choice advocates argue that the matter should be a private one between woman and doctor. Critics claim that for every 100 live births, over 30 abortions occur and that this is far too many. While the federal conservative government claims it does not intent to re-open the abortion debate, for many, including some MP’s, that debate is already raging. Our two speakers will each express their views on this ongoing controversy. Speaker: Maaike Rosendal and Bryson Brown Maaike Rosendal, originally from the Netherlands, has been an advocate for the pro-life position since she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge. As one of the founding members of the campus pro-life club, Maaike was involved in bringing the debate to campus on many occasions and served as Students for Life's Vice President and President for several years. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2009 and has since worked as Lethbridge & District Pro-Life's community liaison. Dr. Bryson Brown was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He grew up in Canada and the United States, studying Philosophy at Trent University and went on to an M.A. and PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. Bryson has two children, a son who died of Cancer in 1996 and a daughter working in Montreal as a tutor and ESL instructor. Bryson Brown has taught at the University of Lethbridge since 1986. His research has focused on logic, history and the philosophy of science. He has also written on ethical issues