Nov 10
17
Support abortion or stay off campus, Carleton U. pro-life club told
National Post – November 17, 2010
Support abortion or stay off campus, club told
By Charles Lewis
Carleton University’s official student association has banned the Ottawa institution’s anti-abortion club, offering it just one way to get back into good graces: support abortion rights. On Monday, the Carleton University Student Association (CUSA), decertified Carleton Lifeline for its anti-abortion views. It told the club that being against abortion violated CUSA’s anti-discrimination policy, but that it could get recertified in a day or two. “We invite you to amend your constitution to create one that respects our anti-discrimination policy as laid out above,” wrote Khaldoon Bushnaq, CUSA’s vice-president of internal affairs. “If you are able to resubmit a constitution that meets our criteria by Thursday, November 18th we will be able to certify your club for this semester.”
Ruth Lobo, the president of Carleton Lifeline, said CUSA assumes all students are “pro-choice,” which is not necessarily the case. Its policy, she said, smacked of hypocrisy. “It’s very ironic that they have a discrimination policy that allows them to discriminate against pro-life groups,” she said. “CUSA claims to be representative of all students. As a pro-life student I am not represented by an organization I am forced to pay dues to in my tuition. Either they should create a policy in which students can opt out of fees or get rid of the discrimination policy,” Ms. Lobo said. “Pro-choice should also mean that a woman has the right to not have an abortion, so I think CUSA is being anti-choice by not allowing people to hear the other side.”
CUSA did not return phone calls on Tuesday. The Canadian Federation of Students, an umbrella group for student associations, said it does not get involved with local matters on specific campuses.
The letter from Mr. Bushnaq noted Carleton Lifeline believes in the “equal rights of the unborn and firmly believes that abortion is a moral and legal wrong.” Therefore, because of CUSA’s commitment to the pro-abortion-rights position, Carleton Lifeline can no longer promote its views on campus or lobby in any way that would oppose that position. It can no longer book space for advocacy or events, nor is it eligible for funding.
Read related LifeSiteNews story here.
Catholic Civil Rights League Press release in response to CUSA decision:
Catholic Civil Rights League
OTTAWA, November 17, 2010 – the Catholic Civil Rights League today commented on the decertification of the Carleton University pro-life club Lifeline. The group received notice of the decertification from the Carlton University Student Association (CUSA) Monday, citing Lifeline’s pro-life position as the reason but advising that it could be recertified if it amends its constitution “to create one that respects our anti-discrimination policy.”
“We hope the students will come to recognize the irony of restricting a group because of its opinion, often based on religious belief, and then citing a non-discrimination policy as the reason,” said League Executive Director Joanne McGarry. “Unfortunately, some of the incidents involving pro-life clubs on campus in recent years suggest that not all university administrations support equal access to club facilities for pro-life groups.”
Most of the club certification problems relate to the “pro-choice” policy of the Canadian Federation of Students, the umbrella body for university student associations. Lifeline was one of several clubs decertified under this policy in 2006, but later regained its status after concerted protest.
In its support of equality of access to club facilities for campus pro-life clubs, the League has always maintained that schools not willing to insist on equality for pro-life clubs should be prepared to refund the relevant portion of student activity fees to their members.
Five students involved with Lifeline were arrested on a charge of trespassing early in the school year for conducting an authorized Genocide Awareness Project. The case is pending.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information:
Joanne McGarry
Executive Director
Catholic Civil Rights League
www.ccrl.ca
416-466-8244
[email protected]