Order of Canada - Dr. Henry Morgentaler - Travesty of the Highest Order

This is the body of a letter I recently sent to Prime Minister Harper as well as to my MP - Anthony Rota:
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I hope this short note get’s to you sir … I am just an average Canadian, a constituent of your riding; however I believe that my concern is of great importance.

I have just discovered that Dr. Henry Morgentaler has been selected to receive the Order of Canada in just a few days. When I heard this my heart sank. Can this news really be true?

I believe that the Order of Canada should, and must be reserved to honour those "Fathers & Mothers" of our nation that have contributed to the life, well being and future of our population and land ... not its decimation!Please don’t misunderstand me, this is not an attack on Dr. Morgentaler's person or character, nor am I opposed to respecting the proper rights and freedoms of women in Canada. I am however voicing opposition to rewarding him as a national hero for being instrumental in removing all limits to the practice of abortion in Canada.

Awarding Dr. Morgentaler this award would be a travesty of the highest proportions, indeed an international travesty as well. How will this portray Canada as a nation? Will this portray Canada as a nation that rewards people for the reduction of its own population? Indeed, for the sustained mass extermination of the most vulnerable citizens of our nation? As my heritage is German, the thought of this sends shivers down my spine. Have we not learned from history?

I realize that the issue of abortion is highly controversial; many Canadians are also unclear of the issues involved. Canadians have however voiced their opinion en masse on the issue of this award being presented to Dr. Morgentaler. As unscientific as the recent Globe & Mail survey on this issue may have been, 92% of Canadians that voted, voted NO. I believe it is at the very least an indicator of an issue that needs to be recognized. Many Canadians are against this!

Dr. Morgentaler is a Canadian just like me and I would not approve of dishonouring him as a person, however to give him this great honour I believe is highly unjustified.

Please sir, I’m asking with all my heart, put an end to this.

Yours respectfully,
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Response from the Prime Minister's office - July 15, 2008


July 15, 2008

Chris Hermann
chris@jubalmusic.ca

Dear Mr. Hermann:

On behalf of the Prime Minister, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your recent correspondence regarding the Order of Canada. We have noted your concern and are pleased to have this opportunity to respond.
The Government is not involved in either the deliberations or decisions with respect to which individuals are appointed to the Order of Canada. It is Rideau Hall that approves the final appointments based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada, which is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

With respect to specific appointments to the Order, the Prime Minister's preference is for the Order of Canada to be an honour that unifies and brings Canadians together. Clearly, this appointment did not do that.

To further express your concerns, we would recommend that you contact the Governor General's office directly at:

Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1
Phone: (613) 993-8200
Toll-free: 1-800-465-6890
Fax: (613) 998-8760
E-mail: info@gg.ca

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Susan I. Ross

Executive Correspondence Officer
for the Prime Minister's Office