Joyce Arthur

The backwater of P.E.I. abortion politics

mgregus — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:59:05 +0000

Friday, May 1, 2015

Canada's tiniest province with a population to match is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of Canadian politics. Thought of as a quiet backwater, Prince Edward Island is renowned for its picturesque scenery, red-sand beaches, lighthouses, and quaint villages and churches. It also boasts the longest bridge in Canada, as well as the country's best lobster suppers (in my opinion). To top it off, P.E.I. is the birthplace of Confederation, the home of Anne of Green Gables, and a Life Sanctuary.

Wait... what?

How is it possible that in the year 2015, some Canadians still can't access abortion in their own province and are being forced to risk their health and safety? It's anti-choice politics all the way.

Christian doctors angry they can no longer abandon their patients

rabble staff — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:36:29 +0000

Friday, April 3, 2015

The Christian Medical and Dental Society of Canada is throwing a tantrum over a new requirement that Ontario physicians must refer patients appropriately when they refuse to provide a health-care service they personally disagree with. On March 20, the group launched a lawsuit against the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

A Christian doctors' group is throwing a tantrum over a new requirement that Ontario physicians must refer patients appropriately when they refuse to provide a health-care service.

Time to repeal Canada's blasphemy law

rabble staff — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:20:45 +0000

Friday, March 6, 2015

There is no God. All religions are false. The Bible is a fanciful document, written by people not inspired by any god. The Old Testament god is a bloodthirsty tyrant, and the Qur'an vilifies non-believers on almost every page. Jesus probably never existed, and even the historicity of Mohammed is questionable.

We must defend and exercise the right to blasphemy, not criminalize it, or silence ourselves out of fear. One small start would be to repeal Canada's blasphemy law as an unconstitutional anachronism.

Pro-choice reflections on 2014 and predictions for 2015

rabble staff — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:11:58 +0000

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

What's on the horizon for reproductive rights in Canada for 2015? Let's take a look back at 2014, especially at some ongoing initiatives that may prove very fruitful for 2015.

Anti-choice dinosaurs now extinct in Liberal Party

What's on the horizon for reproductive rights in Canada for 2015? Let's take a look back at 2014, especially at some ongoing initiatives that may prove very fruitful for 2015.

December 6 marks the endorsement of violence against sex workers

rabble staff — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:55:50 +0000

Friday, December 5, 2014

In an act of "sick and twisted" irony, Canada's new prostitution law takes effect on December 6, the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and a day now set aside to mourn violence against women. Sadly, the law will lead to violence against sex workers, most of whom are women.

In an act of "sick and twisted" irony, Canada's new prostitution law takes effect on December 6, the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and a day now set aside to mourn violence against women.

Not criminals, not victims: Sex workers' lives thrown into chaos under new law

rabble staff — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 12:59:07 +0000

Monday, November 10, 2014

On Thursday, November 6, seven masked sex workers spoke at a press conference in Vancouver to give specifics on how Canada's new prostitution law will harm them. The theme was "What a Difference a Day Makes" -- because on Wednesday they were responsible working adults providing a legal service to ordinary Canadians, and on Thursday the law had transformed them into helpless victims being exploited by violent predators and perverts.

On Thursday, November 6, seven masked sex workers spoke at a press conference in Vancouver to give specifics on how Canada's new prostitution law will harm them.

Coming soon: A brave new pro-choice world

rabble staff — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 12:58:44 +0000

Friday, October 3, 2014

An important day just went by, marked by hundreds of events and campaigns and lots of noise around the world. Some of you may have never heard of it before, but to an abortion rights activist like me, it's practically a statutory holiday.

September 28 is the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion. The day originated two decades ago in Latin America and the Caribbean where women's groups have been pushing governments to decriminalize abortion and provide safe and affordable access. The date itself commemorates the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1871, and came to be adopted by Brazilian women as the day of the "free womb."

Reproductive rights campaigners are getting stronger and more numerous and more optimistic about the future. The tide is inexorably turning in their favour. Welcome to our brave new pro-choice world.

A paean to polyglots

rabble staff — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:08:49 +0000

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

I don't speak French. I wish I could but I can't. Canada is a bilingual country and it was a mandatory course in my high school. I took two years of French in college, and once even hired a tutor for private lessons. Sure, I can still stammer out a few simple sentences in French and understand some of what I read and hear. But Vancouver is a long ways from Quebec. On the west coast, French is rarely heard and, shall we venture to say? -- unnecessary.

Becoming fluent in another language is a huge and challenging accomplishment. I salute the world's polyglots. Really, how do you do it?! You have my profound admiration and respect.

'Conscientious objection' when it comes to reproductive health is not conscientious

rabble staff — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 15:06:55 +0000

When doctors refuse to provide reproductive health-care services based on personal beliefs, most people call it "conscientious objection." In reality, it is the opposite of conscientious.

Doctors do not have the right to discriminate and deny basic health care

mgregus — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 12:03:43 +0000

Friday, August 1, 2014

It's come to light that three doctors in Ontario and one in Alberta refuse to provide contraception to their patients because of their personal and religious beliefs.

When doctors refuse to provide reproductive health-care services based on personal beliefs, most people call it "conscientious objection." In reality, it is the opposite of conscientious.

Prostitution bill poisoned by sexist ideology

rabble staff — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 14:57:49 +0000

Friday, July 4, 2014

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The new prostitution bill introduced in June by Injustice Minister Peter MacKay is blatantly unconstitutional and will result in more dead women. Bill C-36 will harm sex workers in even worse ways than the previous criminal provisions that were struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada in December.

The new prostitution bill introduced in June by Injustice Minister Peter MacKay is blatantly unconstitutional and will result in more dead women.

Moving forward with the abortion debate

rabble staff — Thu, 29 May 2014 22:29:37 +0000

Friday, May 30, 2014

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Justin Trudeau's statement that any new candidate for the Liberal Party must agree to vote pro-choice on any bills is positive and entirely appropriate. It stirred up a surprising amount of criticism and confusion in the media, however, in addition to the expected histrionics from anti-choice and religious communities.

Abortion is a constitutional right that must not be infringed, and indeed must be protected and enhanced, both here and around the world. Let the "forwards abortion debate" begin!

New Brunswick invites the return of unsafe abortions

rabble staff — Fri, 02 May 2014 11:50:29 +0000

Friday, May 2, 2014

The government of New Brunswick has embarked upon a perilous political path in recent weeks. It has decided to directly endanger the health and lives of New Brunswick women on the basis of its presumed "pro-life" religious beliefs. The main person behind this decision is, ironically, Health Minister Ted Flemming.

The government of New Brunswick has decided to directly endanger the health and lives of New Brunswick women on the basis of its presumed "pro-life" religious beliefs.

Patriarchal values dominate the sex work debate

rabble staff — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:55:37 +0000

Friday, April 4, 2014

Much has been said and written since the Supreme Court of Canada struck down three prostitution laws in December because they imposed dangerous conditions on sex workers, thereby violating their constitutional right to security of the person. Sex work is legal in Canada, but the criminal laws prohibited various activities around it, including communicating in public, operating or working in a brothel, and living off the income of a sex worker.

The question should be: how best can we ensure the safety and rights of sex workers? But the battle has become about how best to control sex work under the guise of "protecting" sex workers.

When a government protects workers by criminalizing them

rabble staff — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 13:46:36 +0000

Friday, March 7, 2014

Imagine for a moment, if the debate over prostitution laws was aimed at other types of workers...

In a bold move aimed at protecting workers from exploitation while on the job, the government today passed a new law that criminalizes most employers and customers. The law addresses the void left by the Supreme Court of Canada in December 2013, when it struck down laws that it said prevented workers from taking safety measures to protect themselves from abusive customers, but which the government said were designed to prevent people from working, period.

Imagine for a moment, if the debate over prostitution laws was aimed at other types of workers.