Schizmu …Toronto and some insanity.

So if you have happened to not be in a coma over these past few days you probably know that Henry Morgentaler, the man who was instrumental in getting abortions declared as legal, has been nominated for the Order of Canada. Now the Order of Canada is the highest civil honour in Canada. Can you imagine the reactions?

“Oh the humanity! Won’t somebody think of the fetuses?” The cries of the “pro-life” advocates is an oppressive din in a country where the majority really do not share their views. Personally I find it rather pleasant that the majority of women in this country can procure safe, legal, medical procedures without much heckling from the mobs. The complaints, however, remain endless.

The Elmer Fudd’s of the world always amuse me. Such as Rev. Thomas Collins, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto. His opinion is that awarding Morgentaler the Order of Canada will somehow ruin the award.

Canada’s highest honour has been debased

I’ll for give him a pass, he probably has never looked at what the qualifications for the award are. Apparently the award is given for:

The highest degree of merit to Canada and humanity, an outstanding level of talent and service to Canadians, or an exceptional contribution to Canada or Canadians.

Let’s break this down shall we? Is there talent? Well maybe not; so he’s not in the Kurt Browning level of recipients. Service to Canadians? Definitely. Morgentaler provided abortion services to women in need, despite the risk to his own person. Despite threat of incarceration, physical harm and clinic bombings he has stood up for women seeking a medically safe abortion.

“An exceptional contribution to Canada or Canadians?” Can I get a “Hell yes”? He has given an extraordinarily exceptional contribution, being he is the one who contested to law so that abortions may be legal.

Now you might realize that there is nothing in there that says. “The Recipient must be completely uncontroversial and loved by all Catholics and Fundamentalists because they need to feel justified in their constant war against anything that might offend their sensitivites.” But apparently some certain groups think there should be. Like The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

They point out that:

The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country) Far from improving our country, Mr. Morgentaler’s actions continue to create controversy and division in our nation

It’s interesting how in their view it is Morgentaler who continues to be the sole controversial force. You really want to stop the controversy? Stop complaining every time the word abortion comes up, it takes two sides to create a controversy. In fact if you need something to distract you I might recommend working on that issue of touching little children you still seem to be having a problem with. They are so self-centred they automatically think that the motto applies to their own personal definition of “a better country”. The truth is however, that many people consider their version of a better Canada to be one that includes legal abortion.

Personally there are plenty of Order of Canada recipients that I don’t agree with because they are so damn lame. Seriously, we give them out like they’re candy.

Some examples of what I’m talking about:

Ellen Burka; a figure skating coach awarded for “enhancing” figure skating to an art form.
Anna and Kate McGarrigle; they’re sisters and they sing.
Leon Major; a theatre director.
David Archer; Former President of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

Hey, that last one could be pretty controversial. What if you don’t agree with unions or the labour movement?

The last two of that list don’t even have a damn Wikipedia page. The above are barely remembered now; if they are known at all. Want to know who has a decent sized Wikipedia page? Morgentaler, that’s who. Morgentaler will continue to be remember and continue to be recognized as an important figure in Canadian history for basically as long as there is an entity know as Canada. That is the type of person you want included into the Order of Canada, people who made a real impact. I’m sure Ms. Burka could create a kick ass free skate routine but Morgentaler has changed the history of this country.

Including an innovative mover, shaker and risk taker? It only makes the award more prestigious.

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