I have just participated in the 12th Annual March for Life on Parliament Hill in our nations’s capital, marking 40 years of abortion-on-demand in Canada and the loss of over 3 million children to abortion. Once again, thousands of men, women, children and youth gathered on the Hill to peacefully protest the lack of protection for unborn children in our country.

This morning, Notre Dame Basilica was crowded with pro-lifers who celebrated Mass with several Catholic clergy, including Archbishop Thomas Collins, Archdiocese of Toronto, who offered words of encouragement following Mass. He reminded us to keep in mind the “what” and the “who” in the abortion debate. The unborn in the womb, he said, are persons not things. They are not disposable. They are human beings who need to be protected and allowed to come to birth.

Participants on the Hill were treated to a speech by the now famous 12-year-old girl from Toronto who had chosen abortion for her school speech, which has been widely broadcast on Youtube. Click on older stories at bottom of page and scroll down for Youtube of her speech. This young lady definitely gets it!

Rain did not deter thousands from peacefully marching through the streets of Ottawa in a show of support for the unborn and their mothers and fathers. Cheerful chants rang out from school groups of young passionate pro-lifers.

Several Knights of Columbus from Halton were in attendance, as well as 77 students and 11 teachers & chaplaincy leaders from our Catholic secondary schools in Halton. I had the opportunity to walk with some of these students and was truly inspired by their maturity and their joy in participating in the largest annual gathering on Parliament Hill.

The pro-abortion protersters along the March for Life route did not dampen the spirits of these youth. Rather, they were emboldened and spurred on to continue their pro-life efforts for a better world, one that respects and welcomes all, including every child in the womb.

With over half the participants in the March for Life consisting of high school and university students, the pro-life movement is in good hands!

Joanne Matters, Executive Director Halton Pro-Life