Dear Maureen, I’m Pete Baklinski, and this is your Canadian Pro-Life News Bits – where I let you know what’s happening on our country’s pro-life and pro-family front.

I’m back from a much-needed vacation with my family and have now rolled up my sleeves, ready to get back at it!

A few major stories broke while I was away. The first is about an Ontario family who has come forward with the story of their 19-year-old daughter, Rheanna Laderoute, who died in 2022 after taking the abortion pill. We’re quite certain this is the same case we found in the Canadian government’s online system that tracks adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs. We reported on this back in 2023. The family is blaming the medical establishment for Rheanna’s death—but who really killed her? Read my reflection at the end to find out.

The Western Journal picked up a short video I filmed about vandalism of a pro-life sign near where I live and published a story about it. The coverage highlights the hostility some people have toward the sacredness of human life.

The Interim has published a sobering reflection on the collapse of Canada’s fertility rate, the dire consequences this creates, and what can be done about it. Part of the blame for this crisis rightly rests on the rise of contraception.

My colleague David Cooke has written a must-read piece on Canada’s plan to expand assisted suicide to the mentally ill and what can be done about it. There is growing pushback, including the introduction of Bill C-218 by MP Tamara Jansen, which would block the expansion of MAiD to those with mental illness. David is urging everyone to contact their MP and demand support for this bill.

There are also encouraging stories in this edition, including a report on a new poll showing that America is becoming more pro-life.

Finally, for those in the GTA, St. Aidan’s Catholic Parish in Scarborough is hosting a fundraising dinner for faithful Catholic school trustee Michael Del Grande on Saturday, September 13. Mike is raising money to cover his costly legal battles as he defends Catholic teaching at the school board level. Mike will be there in person, along with CLC staff. For more information, please contact the dinner’s organizers at bdizon@sympatico.ca.

Top Canadian pro-life stories you need to know about

Pro-life | Abortion

Globe and Mail: ‘The system failed her’

“When Rheanna Laderoute fell ill with an infection after an abortion, doctors didn't follow up on signs of sepsis. Her sister wants accountability.”

The Western Journal: Watch: Christian Reacts to Vandalism of Anti-Abortion Billboard - 'You Can Just See the Selfishness'

“An anti-abortion activist in Ontario, Canada, revealed last week that a billboard for the Christian ministry Choice42 was vandalized with a pro-abortion slogan.”

Run with Life: Action Canada for Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights spends your taxes on abortion and contraception

“Action Canada received $6,214,388 from the government in 2024.”

LifeSiteNews: Most Albertans want protections for the unborn, not abortion on demand

“Millions of Albertans quietly share the conviction that life deserves protection. It is time for this government – and for the many MLAs who call themselves pro-life – to prove it.”

The Interim: Why Johnny and Ginny can’t breed

“…entire cultures are now un-reproducing themselves out of existence. Thus does the chasten wisdom of the time-worn phrase endure: demography is, indeed, destiny.”

End of Life | Euthanasia

Campaign Life Coalition: Canada Plans to Murder the Mentally Ill

“There is no doubt in my mind that Canada is treading the very same evil path trod by Germany in the 1930s and 40s. Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist (Nazi) party at first promoted the idea of euthanasia as a “compassionate solution” for the mentally ill and disabled.”

LifeSiteNews: Top Quebec doctor group claims euthanasia is ‘appropriate treatment’ for severely ill babies

“In an interview with LifeSiteNews, the Quebec College of Physicians confirmed its support of expanding Canada’s euthanasia regime to include babies born with severe deformities or syndromes.”

Male&Female | Gender Ideology

Western Standard: Calgary Catholic school district policy sets birth-sex rules for female-only sports

“The procedure establishes that students may take part in female-only sports only if their birth registration lists their sex as female”

LifeSiteNews: Alberta policy protecting female athletes from gender-confused males takes effect

“The Fairness and Safety in Sport Act requires athletes over the age of 12 to compete in sports divisions based on their biological sex.”

Catholic Register: Hamilton city forcibly removes billboard calling for stop to transgender surgeries on kids

“The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada is challenging the City of Hamilton after its mayor forced the removal of one of the advocacy group's billboards in the city.”

Inspiring stories to give you hope

Catholic News Agency: Sisters of Life launch new website offering pro-life support, resources for women

“The Sisters of Life have launched a new website providing resources and support for women considering an abortion, women seeking healing after having an abortion, and women whose children have an adverse prenatal diagnosis.”

LifeNews: Unlike Planned Parenthood, Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Actually Help Women

“At long last, taxpayers are no longer subsidizing that organization’s medical negligence and harm toward women. That is creating room for the kind of authentic care that expectant mothers deserve.”

Unplanned Stories: ‘Choosing life is like choosing Him’ — she left a self-destructive path to embrace faith and family.

“Confronting an unplanned pregnancy and a path of self-destruction, Kendra leaned on her faith for strength. She transformed her life, embracing motherhood, family and a renewed purpose.”

LifeNews: New Polls Reveal that America is Becoming More Pro-Life

“Gallup released its annual survey on abortion in June, revealing that 43% of respondents now identify as Pro-Life, a two-point increase from the previous year.”

Take Action

Send an Action Alert Email to your local MP, urging them to pass C-218. Contact your Member of Parliament here.

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Maureen, 19-year-old Rheanna Laderoute of Ontario tragically died of septic shock after taking the abortion pill.

Her family has now come forward with her story and is seeking answers.

Last week, the Globe and Mail published an account of Rheanna’s death. The family is largely blaming the medical establishment—one doctor in particular—for her death. They say the medical system “failed her.”

But who is really responsible for Rheanna’s death—and the death of her preborn baby?

While the medical system failed to properly manage the infection, it wasn't the cause of it. The infection was most likely caused by the abortion pill itself. 

Product literature listed on Health Canada’s website for chemical abortion (also called RU-486) states that there is a risk of serious harm and even death to women who use it.

Mifegymiso’s product monograph warns of a “risk of infection and sepsis” for users:

“Cases of serious bacterial infection, including very rare cases of fatal septic shock, have been reported following the use of Mifegymiso. Clostridium sordellii infection was observed in some women without abdominal pain or fever, progressing rapidly to multi-organ failure and death.”

Rheanna’s death must be blamed on the abortion pill—and on those who approved its use and continue to peddle it to unsuspecting victims.

First, the abortion lobby. Abortion groups lobbied the Canadian government to approve the abortion pill. On July 29, 2015, Health Canada approved Mifegymiso for its “safety, efficacy, and quality”—even though it already knew about the risk of septic shock and death, exactly what happened to this 19-year-old girl. The drug became available in 2017. Advocacy groups have since raised serious concerns about its safety.

Second, Health Canada itself. The government approved the abortion pill despite knowing that it kills preborn children—and sometimes their mothers.

Finally, the women’s health clinic in Brampton, Ontario, which dispensed the abortion pill to Rheanna.

So, who are Rheanna’s real killers? The abortion lobby, Health Canada, and the women’s health clinic.

If not for these, Rheanna and her baby would still be with us today.

The truth is that abortion pills are a human pesticide: they kill preborn children and can seriously harm women. They have no place in civilized countries that claim to respect human life.

It’s time to ban the abortion pill.

Be bold and daring for life!

Pete Baklinski
Director of Communications
Campaign Life Coalition
Follow Pete on X: @petebaklinski