Update December 10, 2015: There are now 417 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update September 1, 2015: There are now 416 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update August 9, 2015: There are now 397 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update February 16, 2015: There are now 394 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update January 27, 2015: There are now 392 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update December 13: There are now 367 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update December 14: There were a few duplicates from yesterday's post. There are now 364 names.
Update December 13: There are now 368 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update December 8: There are now 334 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update December 6: There are now 332 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Another comment:
"My concern is that the leader of the Liberal Party has made decisions without (seemingly) benefit of consultation. In my view, he is acting like an autocrat, and I find that very frightening. I cannot, in good faith, support the Liberal Party of Canada under these conditions."
Update December 3: There are now 330 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 30: Another comment:
"The way some elected officials are thinking is beyond belief & if it continues like this, pretty soon we will have no rights."
There are now 322 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 29: Another comment:
"In an effort to appear “progressive” in his ideas, he has actually displayed some ignorance, as well as a narrow minded perspective about rights and freedoms."
There are now 318 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 28: Another comment:
"He [Trudeau] certainly does not have ears that hear, eyes that see, nor wisdom to ever be a Prime Minister of our great country Canada."
There are now 262 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 27: There are now 252 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 23: More comments from signers:
"She [Pat] makes an excellent case based on the very Charter of which Mr. Trudeau seems to have minimal and selective knowledge."
...
"on the day after Mr. Trudeau’s announcement , as well as sending off a note to him, I also wrote to the Liberal Party of Canada and to my local riding president. Within a day of receiving my letter, I received a phone call from the riding president. We we able to have a lengthy and civilized discussion on the topic. I found his ears open … and although his direct impact on Mr. Trudeau is limited, I felt that my opinions had been heard and that they would be carried back to party discussions, at least at the local level.I am convinced that this is an important route for people who are in disagreement with Mr. Trudeau’s new policy - be in touch at the grassroots! If change is to occur, I think this is where it may begin - when members hear the hearts of their own constituents."
...
"Please add my name to the list defending the Charter of Rights as stated, and not Me. Trudeau's convenient interpretation. Thank you (paying member of the Liberal Party of Canada, rescinded until freedom to vote according to conscience is reinstated)"
There are now 237 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 21: Another comment I received:
"Please add my name to Letter to Trudeau. He has definitely gone off the tracks."
There are now 232 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 17: There are now 225 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 17:
Many people thanked me for writing this letter. Here is one such note I received:
"Thank you for initiating this. I am a "cradle Liberal" who was also a "card carrying Liberal" who is now re-evaluating her political views. While I find that I do not like what I hear from all parties, I will definitely not be in Justin's corner. He is not turning out to be our 'white knight' but quite the opposite. Please add my name to your letter."
Update Nov 16: There are now 219 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Nov 15: There are now 209 names on my letter. And we still haven't heard back from Mr. Trudeau.
Update Oct 16: Since I sent this letter to Justin Trudeau, I've received additional names which I've added to the bottom. I now have over 100 signatures. If you would still like to sign the letter please send me an email at maloneyp64@gmail.com and I will add your name to the letter. In a couple of weeks I will send Mr. Trudeau another letter with the updated names. The more Canadians who voice their displeasure with Mr. Trudeau's attack on democracy, the better.
Dear Mr. Trudeau,
We the undersigned, are very concerned about your recent edict to exclude pro-life people from being candidates for the Liberal Party. We are also concerned that you say you are doing this, because you are a strong believer in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
We must confess, we find it impossible to reconcile the two.
First, our Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of conscience (See
section 2(a) freedom of conscience and religion). This is a fundamental right and the Charter is very clear in that it promises that all Canadians have this right. This would include all persons who wish to run for political parties. How can you in good conscience, exclude people because their consciences guide them differently, than yours does?
Second, when some honourable ex-Liberal MPs wrote you, you dismissed their concerns because you felt the writers were "old men". This dismissal is also against the Charter, since your comments are both ageist and sexist, and so discriminatory based on same.
("See
section 15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability).
Would you likewise discriminate against a young female's opinion? Or conversely, perhaps you are implying that you would only listen to a young female's opinion? In either case, this would still be discrimination based on age and gender.
If you do not agree with these men's arguments, I would love to hear what your counter arguments would be. Instead you chose to ignore their arguments, preferring to attack the speakers instead of the subject at hand. This is not helpful in furthering honest and intelligent discussions on any issue including abortion.
Finally, on many occasions you have stated that a woman's right to choose is guaranteed by the Charter. But this is not the case at all. The Supreme Court Justices in the 1988 Morgentaler decision never stated that a woman had a constitutional right to abortion. How can you believe then, that her right to abortion is guaranteed by the Charter? It isn't. Please see
here for a detailed discussion what is in that decision, as well as what isn't.
We must admit we are very confused by your understanding of the Charter. On the one hand, you ignore what is clearly guaranteed in the Charter, and on the other hand, you invent something that is clearly not in the Charter and say that it is. With all due respect Mr. Trudeau, your sentiments are logically incoherent.
We respectfully request that you welcome all persons into the Liberal Party regardless of their beliefs about abortion and that you respect their right to vote in accordance with their conscience.
We believe all persons deserve the same respect regardless of conscience beliefs, of gender, or of age.
Let the people decide if they wish to vote for these differing viewpoints. That is why we hold elections. It really isn't for the leader to decide this. We believe this is what democracy is all about.
We respectfully request that you respond to this letter, and we look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Sincerely,
| Patricia Maloney |
| Adele Constantineau |
| Aileen Simpson |
| Alana Pelc |
| Aldo Dolcetti |
| Alice Fougère |
| Alida van der Vegt |
| Amber Friesen |
| Amelia Andal |
| Ana Stopa |
| Anastasia Bowles |
| Andre Pare |
| Andrea Mrozek |
| Angus Kelly |
| Angus MacDonald |
| Ankeje Snell |
| Ann Sullivan |
| Anna-Marie Kean |
| Anne Bonnah |
| Anne Egan |
| Anne Essiambre |
| Anne Marie Powell |
| Anne Stewart |
| Anne Waggoner |
| Annette Besner |
| Annette Downey |
| Arnold Bossa |
| Audrey Beard |
| Barbara Norris |
| Barry Dunn |
| Bea Suelirin |
| Beatrice Kyolaba |
| Bena Toscano |
| Bernadette McCormick |
| Bernie Langill |
| Betty Barrett |
| Bev deMontigny |
| Bibiane O'Gorman |
| Bill Vanderlinde |
| Bob Du Broy |
| Bob Riley |
| Bob Rudy |
| Bonnie Pember |
| Brett Bottyan |
| Brian Smith |
| Bridget Van Osch |
| Camille Bozozuk |
| Carl Hickey |
| Carls Aury |
| Carm Scine |
| Carmen D'Souza |
| Carol Cheslock |
| Carol Gaboury |
| Carol Gervais |
| Carol Gray |
| Carol Roch |
| Carol Talgoy |
| Carole Atkinson |
| Carrie Peters |
| Cathie Mary Butler |
| Cecilia Bowles |
| Céline d'Etcheverry |
| Chantel Drew Ward |
| Charlene Charron |
| Charles Fortin |
| Charles Saso |
| Charles Vince |
| Chris Belford |
| Chris Ward |
| Christian Lange |
| Clarissa Canaria |
| Claude A. Brule |
| Claude Leduc |
| Cliff Pyle |
| Cliff Snell |
| Colette Stang |
| Conny Barel |
| Corinne Ware |
| Craig Read |
| Curtis Ogilvie |
| Cynthia Bredfeldt |
| Cynthia Connolly |
| Cyril Winter |
| Daniel Hunter |
| Daniel Surprenant |
| Darlene Irvine |
| Daryl Sheppard |
| David Darwin |
| Deacon Rick Gervais |
| Deacon Wayne S. Lee |
| Debbie Duval |
| Debbie Ward |
| Deborah Egan |
| Delores Doherty |
| Denis Bergeron |
| Denise Davis |
| Diane Irvine |
| Diane Naipaul |
| Diane Stump |
| Dolly Moyse |
| Don Powell |
| Donald Andre Bruneau |
| Donna Barry |
| Donna J., Anderson |
| Donna Verner |
| Dr. E. Letourneau MD |
| Dr. Joseph Clarke MD |
| Dr. Robert Walley |
| Dt Bruneau |
| Edward Olszewski |
| Eileen Meunier |
| Eileen Steil |
| Elaine Black |
| Elaine Cavalier |
| Eliette Campau |
| Elizabeth (Betty) Donnelly |
| Elizabeth Doucette |
| Ellen Chesal |
| Elva Roley |
| Erie Eizenga |
| Ernestine Fronc |
| Ester da Silva |
| Eugene Leenders |
| Eva McGuire |
| Fabien Bergeron |
| Fr Joseph Kane, OMI |
| Fr. Autur Ockwood, MSF |
| Fr. Daniel Berniquez |
| Fr. Dennis Hayes CC |
| Fr. Hezuk Shroff |
| Fr. Kenneth Lao C.C. |
| Fr. Michael Weitl |
| Fr. Yves Marchildon CC |
| Francilia Poirier |
| Francis J. Barrett |
| François Savard |
| Frank Egan |
| Frank LeVay |
| Frederick Tremblay |
| Gail Goshko |
| Gar Knutson |
| Gary D. Knight PhD |
| Gary O'Meara |
| Gemma O’Sullivan |
| Gene Makish |
| Genevieve Moncrieff |
| George Olliver |
| Gerard Beltran |
| Germaine Gaudet |
| Gillian Keenan |
| Gisele C. Pitre |
| Gloria Pearson-Vasey |
| Glovana Clarke |
| Gordon Duncan |
| Gordon Verner |
| Grace G. Brule |
| Greg Doyle |
Guy Dacquay
Hani Zakhia |
| Harriet McEachen |
| Harry Norris |
| Helena Szakowski |
| Hildegard Krieg |
| Immaculte Nalukago |
| Ineesha Ym |
| Jackie Vince |
| Jacqueline Sullivan |
| Jacques Campeau |
| Jakki Jeffs |
| James Pierce |
| James Snell |
| Jane Langabeer |
| Janet Davidson |
| Janet Seward |
| Jauise Seteurnear |
| Jean Morgan |
| Jean-Pierre Dostaler |
| Jeannine Lebel |
| Jeannine Legault |
| Jen MacDonald |
| Jennifer Snell |
| Jessica Sheppard |
| Jessie MacIsaac |
| Jim Beard |
| Jim Cairney |
| Jim Leliveld |
| Jim Vandervoort |
| Joan Coyne |
| Joan Langtry |
| Joan Lemieux |
| Joan Lepage |
| Joan O’Brien |
| Joan Wills |
| Joanne Sabourin |
| Jocelyn Unsworth |
| Joe Sinicrope |
| Joe Stalmach |
| Joe Thottungal |
| Joe Winchester |
| John Bolech |
| John Hof |
| John Lammers |
| John Lange |
| John Sammut |
| John Sebok |
| John Stefan Obeda |
| John Ward |
| John Ware |
| Jonathon Van Maren |
| Jordan Beard |
| Joseph Patrie |
| Joseph van der Vegt |
| Josie O’Rourke |
| Joy Wolfenden |
| Joyce C. Allison |
| Judy Smith |
| Julia Irvine |
| Julie Culshaw |
| Julie Smulski |
| K. Neatyrexuslei |
| Karen Thomson |
| Karine Surprenant |
| Kas Pelc |
| Kathie Hogan |
| Kathy Vanderlinde |
| Kathy Waechter |
| Kay Newbold |
| Ken Martin |
| Ken O'Day |
| Kim MacMullen |
| Kim Tran |
| L. Jill Vince |
| Larry Chretien |
| Laura Gueguen |
| Laura Patrie |
| Lauralee Sopczak |
| Lauralee Sopezak |
| Laurelia Charlemagne |
| Lawrence Moore |
| Len Mihalicz |
| Leo Andal |
| Liana Gallant |
| Linda Allard |
| Linda Cobb |
| Linda Laperle |
| Linda Tensen |
| Lise Anglin |
| Lois Duncan |
| Lorelle Baptiste |
| Lorraine Lemay |
| Lorraine Lynch |
| Lorraine MacPherson |
| Lorraine Martin |
| Louis Seward |
| Louise Chretien |
| Louise Dubois |
| Louise Letourneau |
| Lourdez Mangaring |
| Lucette Pilon-Bergeron |
| Luciano Ingriselli |
| Lucie Bastien |
| Lucille Bourbonnais |
| Lyse Charron |
| Lyse Charron |
| M L Currie |
| M. Bozozuk |
| Madeleine Lafleur |
| Madeleine Thomas |
| Maeve Ryan |
| Magda Baillot |
| Malcolm Roddis |
| Marc Dennis |
| Marcel Sinasac |
| Marcelle Belanger |
| Margaret Thomson |
| Maria Cairns |
| Maria Torrone |
| Maria Ym |
| Marian Obeda |
| Mariana Marchand |
| Mariane Louis-Seize |
| Marianne Proulx |
| Marie Stalmach |
| Marie Vanbergen |
| Marie-Claire Fortin |
| Marion Labonté |
| Marlene Holt |
| Marnie Sebok |
| Marta Pan |
| Mary Ann A. Peralta |
| Mary Catharine Carroll |
| Mary Doyle |
| Mary F. MacDonald |
| Mary Jean Belford |
| Mary Knechtel |
| Mary MacDonald |
| Mary Michael |
| Mary Mitro |
| Mary Olszewski |
| Mary Pantone |
| Maryke Vos |
| Mat Uszewsko |
| Maureen Ward |
| Michael Liang |
| Michael Szakowski |
| Michael Ward |
| Michelle Sinasac |
| Miranda D. Reis |
| Moncia Roddis |
| Murielle Plante |
| Nancy Kerslake |
| Nancy Macri |
| Nancy Tremblay |
| Nancy Winslow |
| Natalie Grenier |
| Natalie Hudson Sonnen |
| Natasha Fernandes |
| Neva Lorenzon |
| Nicole Arranz |
| Nirmala Ym |
| Noreen Minifie |
| Norman Jay |
| Pat Laviolette |
| Pat Macdonald |
| Patricia Balis |
| Patricia Chura |
| Patricia Moore |
| Patricia Trites |
| Patrick Pena |
| Paul Charron |
| Paula Maloney |
| PAULETTE A. ST-JACQUES |
| Pauline Guzik |
| Peggy Doucette |
| Peggy Hunter |
| Peggy Kelly |
| Per Talgoy |
| Peter McGann |
| Peter Ryan |
| Philip Tan |
| Phyllis Dennis |
| Pierre Collette |
| Pierre Poirier |
| Ray Thomson |
| Rebecca Ocoma |
| Rebecca Richmond |
| Rejean Besner |
| Renald Veilleux |
| Rev. Mr. Rudy M. Ovcjak |
| Rhiel Perrin |
| Rick Stankiewicz |
| Rihad Lzrkncb |
| Rita Hude |
| Rita Hudec |
| Rita Magny |
| Robert Campbell |
| Robert Farley |
| Robert Halpin |
| Robert S. Anderson |
| Romana Dolcetti |
| Romana Pecek |
| Ron Trent |
| Rosanne De Luca |
| Rose Marie MacMullen |
| Rose-Marie Gagné |
| Rosemary Connell |
| Rosetta Caza |
| RS Ayart |
| Ruth Spearns |
| Savio Leon DeSouza |
| Scott Eagan |
| Se Ardaf |
| Sean Mulligan |
| Sean O'Carroll |
| Shane Allard |
| Sheila Knight |
| Sheridan Brace |
| Sherwin B. Peralta |
| Sheryle Snell |
| Shirley Leduc |
| Simone Gingnas |
| Stan Siok |
| Suma Joe |
| Susan Ditmar |
| Susan Duguay |
| Suzanne Lalonde |
| Sylivie Bozozuk |
| Sylvie Bissonnette |
| Ted Sabourin |
| Teresa Aitken |
| Teresa Kane |
| Teresa Psutka |
| Terry Cantin |
| Tess Sturgeon |
| Thea Streng |
| Theodore Morgan |
| Theresa Everett |
| Theresa McDonald |
| Theresa Winchester |
| Therese Lavergne |
| Tom Mockler |
| Tony Gosgnach |
| Tracey McAskill |
| Twilight Beltran |
| Ulrika Drevniok |
| Valerie Bottyan |
| Valerie Delaney |
| Veronica von Neubronn |
| Vicki Forsyth |
| Vince Berndt |
| Vince van den Bosch |
| Viviane Pelletier |
| Wanda Hartlin |
| Wayne Waechter |
| Wayne Weston |
| Wendy Wellington |
Yvon Pelletier
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