The country might be running out of abortion pills but Canadian women say they want more kids, and a potential landmark gender surgery case.
The Dominion Report is a weekly newsletter committed to bringing you the most important stories for Canadian Christians to consider as they seek to live faithful lives in the communities God has placed them in.
Ontario Woman Suing Doctors After Gender Reassignment Surgery
Story: A 34-year-old woman is suing eight medical professionals for not offering alternative treatments for her mental health issues before beginning hormone treatment and irreversible surgery to remove her breasts and womb. “Michelle’s stated desire to become transgender was never challenged and it was treated to the exclusion of her other serious mental health issues, closing the door to alternative treatment options,” her statement of claim says. Several years after the surgery and 9 years after she was initially referred to a therapist for her mental health issues, she was finally diagnosed with ADHD, borderline personality disorder, clinical depression, autism, and PTSD.
Significance: Although lawsuits against medical practitioners are extremely difficult to win, Michelle’s willingness to draw attention to the implications of exclusively offering “affirming care” may have far-reaching ramifications. The detailed claim in her report that her condition at the time obviously required therapy instead of surgery and hormones is shocking. Sadly, many more of these court cases will likely have to be brought forward before our governments and healthcare professionals admit the damage our current policies are doing. Take for example, the recent story about a teacher in Missouri who was encouraged by a St. Louis Children’s Hospital staff member to affirm an entire group of fifth grade girls who simultaneously decided they were all transgender.
Read More: Adrian Humphreys National Post Ontario detransitioner who had breasts and womb removed sues doctors
Further Reading: Mia Ashton The Post Millennial St. Louis Children’s Hospital instructed teach to ‘affirm’ ENTIRE group of 5th grade girls as ‘trans’
Fetal Reduction Abortions Are Increasingly Common in Canada
Story: According to Ontario financial reports obtained by Patricia Maloney, 170 so-called “fetal reduction” abortions were performed in the province during the 2021-22 fiscal year—up from 126 in 2020-21. A fetal reduction abortion (FRA) is any abortion that seeks to reduce the number of babies in the womb without ending the pregnancy entirely. FRAs are often performed to eliminate a twin or to reduce the number of children implanted during in-vitro fertilization. As Maloney writes, “The child who is born will find out one day that their sisters or brothers never made it into this world.”
Significance: Sadly, these numbers reveal that many Canadians are using abortion to guarantee that they have their preferred number of children and no more. This further underlines the reality that very few of Canada’s approximately 300 daily abortions are anywhere close to medically necessary. By allowing this practice to continue, millions of Canadians have chosen to deny that children are precious gifts from God. Those who worship the Lord who said “Let the little children come to me” are now tasked with speaking for these voiceless babies—including those who are callously discarded as the “excess products” of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Read More: Patricia Maloney, Run With Life, Ontario 2021-2022 abortion statistics - medical and fetal reduction abortions on the rise
Research: Canadian Women are Not Having the Children They Want
Story: A recent poll commissioned by Cardus has revealed that Canadian women are having far fewer children than they want. While the average woman is having 1.4 children, the Angus-Reid conducted poll revealed that women, on average, say they want 2.2 children. While the poll also revealed a wide happiness discrepancy between women who had as many children as they wanted and those who had less, it also revealed that Canadian women are only trying to have 1.9 children on average—still significantly less than their desired number.
Significance: Importantly, childcare availability and childcare costs, which are frequently cited as major reasons for women not having more kids, were only 16th and 18th on the list, respectively. The leading reasons all fell under the categories of needing to establish oneself first (whether in a career or just as a person), and/or lacking a suitable partner/not being married. The reality seems to be that even in an age where there has never been more talk about women having “every opportunity”, women don’t actually believe that they can have the family life they desire due to family breakdown and cultural expectations. In fact, the average Canadian woman doesn’t even feel like she can try.
Read More: Opinion: Andrew Mrozek Financial Post Canadian women want more children than they're having
Further Reading: Full Survey Report “She’s (Not) Having a Baby
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Canadian Abortionists Expect a Nationwide Shortage of Abortion Pills
Story: The CBC is reporting that Canadian doctors are preparing for a “nationwide shortage of the abortion pill” expected to last from February 20 to March 6. Although the shortage—due to supply chain disruptions—is only anticipated to last two weeks, the unavailability of the Mifegymiso pill may cause some women to miss the pill’s 10-week cut-off, forcing them to choose between scheduling a surgical abortion or reconsidering the abortion altogether. Mifegymiso was approved for use in Canada in 2017 and allows family doctors and pharmacies to distribute the life-ending drug outside the confines of an abortion clinic.
Significance: Canada has the most liberal abortion regime in the world, allowing the deadly practice up to the moment of birth. Despite the lack of legal protections for preborn children, however, non-legal barriers can still prevent or delay Canadian abortionists from ending the lives of the vulnerable. In this case, a supply chain disruption is delaying abortion pill delivery and, hopefully, saving at least a few children from abortion altogether. In response, Christians should pray for every mother who is now faced with a second chance to choose life, while also rejoicing that God has partially frustrated this evil activity and granted many precious babies a second chance to live.
Read More: Marina von Stackleburg, CBC News, Doctors brace for a nationwide shortage of abortion pills
Russo-Ukrainian War Enters Second Year
Story: Today marks one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. A full year later, the war continues to ravage and end the lives of men and women in both nations. Reports also continue to emerge of Russian war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people. Since the invasion, Canada has spent more than $1 billion on military aid for Ukraine.
Significance: Although “wars and rumors of wars” must take place in the course of human history (Matt. 24:6), they are a violent and tragic effect of the Curse. As the War rages on, we should pray for peace and the proper administration of justice.
Read More: Jill Nelson, World Magazine, “Quest for justice: inside the massive international effort to hold Russia accountable for war crimes in Ukraine”
Rachel Aiello, CTV News, “Here is how Canada spent $1B in military aid for Ukraine since the war began”
An extra dose of news:
No more gas ovens?
The City of Victoria is debating whether or not to ban gas ovens and heating from all new developments that require rezoning. With more and more Civic politicians making promises to address climate issues without many tools at their disposal to actually do anything, we can expect this type of move to become more commonplace.
The youth still love Socialism
A new report from the Fraser institute shows that young Canadians have a fairly positive view on Socialism with nearly half saying it is the ideal economic system.
A Truth To Consider