Canadian breaking news and politics and hats and general sexiness

[betenoire]

First: Abortion, gay marriage could be next on chopping block because of the Conservative government, Chrétien warns. Afterall - we've already pulled out of the Kyoto accord and aren't able to do gun control the way we need to do it.

My boyfriend Jean Chrétien. This is a very smart fund-raising effort on the part of the Liberals - I approve.

And, incidentally, he's absolutely fucking right because

Second: Some Lesbian couple from outside of Canada got married in Canada. Now they want a divorce and were unable to get one because Canada does not divorce non-residents. So instead of changing the rule to allow for divorces of ALL people married in Canada regardless of their country of residence...some douchebag government dude is all "well I guess since you can't get get divorced here and your country doesn't recognise your marriage anyway you're not really married and don't need a divorce - have a nice day!" And Harper is all "I promise I'm not going to bring same-sex marriage up for review!" - but I do not believe him.

and Third: Some shitstick backbencher is all "blah blah blah we have a duty to debate the rights of the unborn!"

I swear to blog, the Republican Primaries in the US are making Canadian Conservative act like bigger assholes.

[betenoire]

A series of studies in Canada and elsewhere over the past decade has found that the children of lesbians aren't just well-adjusted – they excel. On average, kids with two moms seem to be more confident and less aggressive than those raised by a mom and a dad. They are open-minded, affectionate and less susceptible to anxiety and depression.

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by betenoire

A series of studies in Canada and elsewhere over the past decade has found that the children of lesbians aren't just well-adjusted – they excel. On average, kids with two moms seem to be more confident and less aggressive than those raised by a mom and a dad. They are open-minded, affectionate and less susceptible to anxiety and depression.

I hate how a lot of the comments on articles like this study take it out of its context.

Instead of looking at what there is to be said about families that are not made up of "oops babies" (as it was put in the article). Or families that may not put as much emphasis on certain forms of normativity/authoritarian gender roles, sexual expectations for the sake of normativity and so on. Or families who simply don't have parents who believe in being authoritarian for its own sake, due to parental insecurity or values affected by an unexamined patriarchal upbringing (do what daddy says because he says so and he's the boss, instead of do this because xyz).

Instead they rail on like traditionalists often do, which is to whine about how society is oppressing white men who just need everyone to fall into their proper roles damnit! And what do you mean my son doesn't need a male role model/father figure!? You can't raise a duck and tell it about duck stuff!!!

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I swear to blog, the Republican Primaries in the US are making Canadian Conservative act like bigger assholes.

I wish they would all just move down there to join their Tea Party/Republican buddies and leave us alone...

[Soon]

http://www.sorryworld.ca/

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

http://www.sorryworld.ca/

woo I posted that to my G+ last night

love it.

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by betenoire

and Third: Some shitstick backbencher is all "blah blah blah we have a duty to debate the rights of the unborn!"

I swear to blog, the Republican Primaries in the US are making Canadian Conservative act like bigger assholes.

Interesting. I am sure we can agree that we will never ever see a repeal of the abortion laws in Canada.... and I am grateful otherwise I would be well on my way to Gramma. However, to nit pick, and I like nit picking sometimes, (I blame the Aries in me) I wish we could open the debate on fetus vs. living being insofar as wanting to give rights to an unborn child to be born safely. I would, in my perfect Aries world, love to see laws where if the mother is endangering the life of her unborn child, that we have the right to a) abort said fetus or b) confine her so that her gestating fetus has the right to a perfectly formed brain. And not one riddled with holes due to alcohol or drugs.

But, it is not a perfect Aries world.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

Interesting. I am sure we can agree that we will never ever see a repeal of the abortion laws in Canada....

There ARE no abortion laws in Canada TO repeal. And that suits me just fine.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

I wish we could open the debate on fetus vs. living being insofar as wanting to give rights to an unborn child to be born safely. I would, in my perfect Aries world, love to see laws where if the mother is endangering the life of her unborn child, that we have the right to a) abort said fetus or b) confine her so that her gestating fetus has the right to a perfectly formed brain. And not one riddled with holes due to alcohol or drugs.

No and no.

See the thing is - if the government meddles enough to call a fetus a person with rights and the government can control the behaviour of the mother...the government then gets to decide that a fetus is a person with rights who can not be aborted.

You can't have it both ways.

Either a fetus is not a person and I can have an abortion if I want one, or a fetus is a person and I am not allowed to have an abortion.

[Cin]

It is interesting to note that while there are no laws governing abortion in Canada, arguably a good thing, and that the Canada Health Act has been interpreted by the federal government as requiring provinces to fully fund abortion clinics, the reality is women seeking abortion in Canada, depending on their location, can be literally out of luck. Several provinces make it extremely difficult for women to get an abortion. New Brunswick pays nothing toward funding abortion clinics. Nova Scotia has very limited funding. It’s impossible to get an abortion in PEI, however, the province will pay for hospital abortions in other provinces, coincidentally (or not) hospitals in the Maritimes will not perform abortions on women from out – of – province. The only option available to women in PEI are expensive private clinics in NB or NS and that is only as long as they get service in 16 weeks. Other than that, they need to go to Montreal or Toronto.

The number of Canadian medical schools that give instruction in abortion procedures is decreasing, which could potentially create a shortfall in medical personnel skilled in this area. Third-trimester abortions are not generally available In Quebec women seeking third-trimester abortions are sent to the US.

Abortion is the only medical procedure in Canada that does not meet even the most basic requirements of the Canada Health Act, which states that “insured medical services must be universal, accessible, portable and comprehensive.”

Many poor and especially rural women must depend on hospitals, yet it is very difficult to obtain an abortion at a hospital for a variety of reasons. Only about 1/3 of hospitals actually perform abortions. Some hospitals put women through illegal approval processes. There are also quotas, parental consent for surgery on minors, and long waiting lists (yet most will only perform first trimester abortions.) Hospitals also require a doctor’s referral for an abortion, which can be difficult to obtain. Often women have to face anti-choice medical staff who disapprove of their decision.

British Columbia is the only province in the country to have an Access to Abortion Services, or a bubble zone law restricting anti-choice protesters from areas around clinics, doctor’s offices and homes. Other provinces make it incredibly difficult for a woman to obtain an abortion, although if you live in Montreal or Toronto finding a clinic isn’t difficult. In the prairie provinces access is concentrated in the larger cities. In the Yukon there are no private clinics, but the province pays part of the cost for a woman to travel to BC to obtain an abortion. In Nunavut, there is one hospital that provides tax-payer funded abortions but if a woman is pregnant past 13 weeks she must travel to Ottawa. In the Northwest territories there are no private clinics but abortions are provided at two out of the three hospitals there. Nationally there are 151 abortion facilities available as opposed to 197 of the so called crisis pregnancy centres.

In conclusion I must say that although obtaining an abortion in Canada is not a crime, depending on where you live it might just feel like one.

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by Miss Tick

In conclusion I must say that although obtaining an abortion in Canada is not a crime, depending on where you live it might just feel like one.

Miss Tick, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I was aware of some of the information you provided, but not the extreme difficulties that some Canadian women face.

Again... thanks.

[betenoire]

I attended an NDP Leadership Race Q&A/Luncheon/Fundraiser today in my town. Unfortunately the only hopefuls able to make it were Peggy Nash and Romeo Saganash.

Those two are my favourites, however, so I was pretty satisfied.

(I sat at Ms Nash's table!)

I'm really very torn between the two of them, and not sure how I'll vote (if you're an NDP supporter but not yet a member I encourage you to join the party so that YOU can vote too!)

[betenoire]

Peggy Nash's Queer Politics

(Blog Post) Romeo Saganash and the White Left

Romeo Saganash on how to beat Stephen Harper

[betenoire]

I know this is very old and no longer breaking news. But I was reminded of it today and I wanted to share.

It was just so freaking funny! We need more of these sort of shenanigans, please.

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by betenoire

No and no.

See the thing is - if the government meddles enough to call a fetus a person with rights and the government can control the behaviour of the mother...the government then gets to decide that a fetus is a person with rights who can not be aborted.

You can't have it both ways.

Either a fetus is not a person and I can have an abortion if I want one, or a fetus is a person and I am not allowed to have an abortion.

I totally get that. I was musing out loud how in a perfect world we could protect the life of a fetus from a damaging set of circumstances. I work with damaged kids day and day out. I do realize, legally there is no way to accomplish this. Again, when I, the Supreme Aries, rule the world....