Access to abortion makes Canada safer

Dr. Henry Morgentaler received an honourary law degree from the University of Western Ontario, yesterday. In his acceptance, he remarked that not only has he made women safer, he has made life for all of us in Canadian society safer.

"By fighting for reproductive freedom, and making it possible, I have made a contribution to a safer and more caring society where people have a greater opportunity to realize their full potential. "Well-loved children grow into adults who do not build concentration camps, do not rape and do not murder."

Morgentaler himself survived a Nazi death camp. He claimed that violent crime has decreased since 1991, a trend he attributed to more abortion procedures being made available.

"The most important factor is that there are fewer unwanted children, fewer children likely to be abused, brutalized or neglected... children so victimized they may grow up for a thirst for vengeance which seeks an outlet in violence."

Morgentaler went through four jury trials and spent 10 months in jail for providing abortions. The Supreme Court of Canada struck down the country's law in 1988. A constitutional amendment, the Morgentaler amendment, now prevents a jury acquittal from being overturned.