New Brunswick Religious Groups That Will Get Canada Summer Jobs Grants

A couple of days ago Michael Coren published an article with the numbers on religious applicants to the Canada Summer Jobs program.

There were a lot and more than half were accepted.

So that kinda puts the lie on media, Church, and Conservative screeching about anti-religion/anti-Christian bias.

Official documents show that of the 2,728 faith-based organizations that applied for summer jobs funding this year, 58 per cent were willing to sign the attestation. Of the 115 Anglican groups that applied, only 10 refused so sign, and only two of the 199 United Church-affiliated organizations refused. Even more startling, none of the 89 Jewish or 130 Muslim groups withheld their support. Which leaves evangelical groups and, of course, Roman Catholics.

Opposition to abortion has become an absolute of conservative Catholic opinion even though, it should be noted, Canadian Catholics in general do not share this view and progressive Catholics have a far more nuanced approach.

Also, there is far more ambiguity in the Catholic response to the program than we have been led to believe. Contrary to what many critics of the policy have claimed, of the 365 Catholic organizations applying for funding, the overwhelming majority signed on, with less than a third (32 per cent) refusing to do so. When we break down those figures, a clear pattern emerges.

In all of Quebec, only nine Catholic groups refused to sign and a massive 108 agreed to the attestation. In Ontario, 63 groups refused to sign, with 32 agreeing to do so, and the vast majority of dissenters, 52, in Toronto.

That's a lot a Catholics.

Coren doesn't mention New Brunswick but there are many Catholic organizations here too. The Knights of Columbus again!

So, here are the New Brunswick religious groups who applied for and will get summer job grants.

The usual reminders on process: I was going by name only, quite literally. All (known) religious groups got tagged. Others that sounded "churchy" got checked. Caps and quotation marks from original document. Where "no website" is noted I could not find a website for that particular group. (Obviously there is a website for "United Church of Canada" but sometimes I couldn't find one specific to that riding.) Where a link is not provided, it is elsewhere in this blogpost. I haven't done the hyperlink thing, because there are too many. Sorry, you'll have to copy and paste.

Asterisks indicate a Catholic organization.

Most of this was compiled by a diligent volunteer who wishes to remain anonymous. And of course thanks to the Data Monster again.

Acadie-Bathurst
MP Serge Cormier, Lib
Comité de Sauvegarde Église de Bas-Caraquet, http://www.sauvegardeeglisebc.com/ ***
St. Lukes Presbyterian Church, http://pccweb.ca/stlukes-bathurst/
Bathurst Pastoral Charge, http://www.firstunited-bathurst.ca/
Paroisse Saint-Nom-de-Jésus, http://diocesebathurst.com/web/fr/paroisses/beresford-st-nom-de-jesus ***
Paroisse Saint-Polycarpe, http://diocesebathurst.com/web/fr/paroisses/petit-rocher-st-polycarpe ***
L'Évêque Catholique Romain de Bathurst (X5) http://www.diocesebathurst.com/
Sanctuaire Ste-Anne-du-Bocage, http://www.upstjeaneudes.com/pastorale/stanne.html ***
New Bandon Pastoral Charge, https://marconf.ca/presbyteries/miramichi/new-bandon/

Beauséjour
MP Dominic LeBlanc‎, Lib.
Paroisse Saint Jean Baptiste, https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_st-jean-baptiste.html ***
Lutes Mountain Church of the Nazarene, http://www.lutesmtnchurch.com/
Paroisse Saint-Thomas, http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14295.htm ***
Paroisse Ste-Thérèse d'Avila, http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14280.htm ****
Paroisse Saint-Ignace-de-Loyala, http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14321.htm ***
Islington United Church, Sackville no website
Sackville United Pentecostal Church no website
Immaculate Conception Church, http://www.diomoncton.ca/en/parish/rexton-immaculate-conception ***
The Roman Catholic Archbishop, Shediac http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14328.htm ***
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-office-closed-by-roman-catholic-archdiocese-1.1854667
Corporation of the Anglican Parish of Shediac, https://www.anglicanparishofshediac.com/
Paroisse Notre-Dame du Mont Carmel, http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14323.htm ***
Paroisse Sainte-Anne de Kent http://www.diomoncton.ca/en/parish/sainte-anne-de-kent-sainte-anne ***
Paroisse Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur, http://www.diomoncton.ca/en/parish/notre-dame-de-kent-notre-dame-du-sacre-c-ur- ***
Paroisse Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, http://www.diomoncton.ca/en/parish/richibouctou-saint-louis-de-gonzague ***
Paroisse Saint-Louis-des-Français, http://saintlouisdesfrancais.ca/ ***
Archeveque Catholique Romain de Moncton http://www.diomoncton.ca/ ***

Fredericton
MP Matt DeCourcey, Lib.
Wilmot United Church, http://www.wilmotuc.nb.ca/
St.Paul's United Church, http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/
Pathfinders Christian Fellowship, no website
Forest Hill Pastoral Charge, http://www.foresthillunited.com/
United Pentacostal Church of Geary no website

Fundy Royal
MP Alaina Lockhart, Lib.
Hampton Bible Camp, http://www.hamptonbiblecamp.ca/
Rothesay Baptist Church Inc, http://truelifenb.com/

Madawaska-Restigouche
MP René Arseneault, Lib.
Paroisse Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, http://diocesebathurst.com/web/en/parishes/campbellton-notre-dame-des-neiges ***
Campbellton Pastoral Charge, https://marconf.ca/presbyteries/miramichi/campbellton/
Knox Presbyterian Church, http://presbyterian.ca/
Campbellton United Pentecostal Church, http://www.spiritofpentecost.com/
Paroisse Saint-François d'Assise, https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_clair.html ***
L'Évêque Catholique Romain - Cathédrale Immaculée-Conception https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_cathedrale.html ***
L'Evêque Catholique Romain d'Edmundston, https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/index.htmln ***
Paroisse St.-Jean Marie Vianney de Dundee, http://diocesebathurst.com/web/fr/paroisses/dundee-saint-jean-marie-vianney ***
Paroisse Ste-Trinité, http://diocesebathurst.com/web/en/parishes/eel-river-crossing-sainte-trinite ***
Paroisse Notre-Dame des Prodiges, https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_kedgwick.html ***
Paroisse Saint-Basile, https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_st-basile.html ***
Paroisse du Très Saint-Sacrement, https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_st-quentin.html ***
Paroisse Catholique Saint-Joseph https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_st-joseph.html ***

‪Miramichi-Grand Lake‬
MP Pat Finegan, Lib
The Roman Catholic Archbishop - Paroisse Immaculee Conception, https://www.diocese-edmundston.ca/fr/zp_cathedrale.html ***
Paroisse Sainte-Anne, http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/Parishes/Fredericton-Region/Paroisse-Sainte-Anne-des-Pays-Bas.aspx ***
Camp Sheldrake, https://www.campsheldrake.ca/ ***
Saints Peter & Paul Church, http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14364.htm ***
Parish of Newcastle/Nelson/Hardwicke, http://www.miramichi.jesusanswers.com/
"Diocese of Saint John, St. Raphael's Parish" http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/Parishes/Miramichi-Region/St-Raphael-s-Parish.aspx ***
Chipman United Church, https://marconf.ca/presbyteries/woolastook/chipman/
Camp Wegesegum Inc., http://www.campwegesegum.com/
"Paroisse Notre-Dame-de-Fatima, Collette", http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14282.htm
Knox Presbyterian Church, no website
Évêque Catholique Romain de Bathurst(X2), http://www.diocesebathurst.com/ ***
"Knights Of Columbus, Council 3502", http://www.knightsite.org/kc9496/kc9496nb.htm ***
St. Michael's Basilica, https://stmichaelsbasilica.com/ ***
Catholic Health Partners Inc., http://www.rhsj.org/en/miramichi_735_-21.php ***
RC Bishop of Saint John St. Mary's Parish http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/Parishes/Miramichi ***
New Hope Community Church, http://www.newhopemiramichi.ca/index.html
The Salvation Army Community Resource Centre (Miramichi), http://www.miramichisalvationarmy.ca/
Saint James Parish, http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/Parishes/Miramichi-Region/St-James-Parish.aspx ***
Paroisse Saint-François-de-Sales, http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/Parishes/Saint-John-Region/Paroisse-St-Francois-de-Sales.aspx ***
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Saint John, http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/
St. Stephen's United Church, http://www.rbuc.ca/category/st-stephens-church/
Paroisse Saint-Joseph http://www.diomoncton.ca/en/parish/pointe-sapin-saint-joseph ***
St-Peter's Church, http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/canada-east/14330.htm ***
Newcastle United Church https://faithlife.com/nubc/about

Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe
MP ‎Ginette Petitpas Taylor‎, Lib
Paroisse Saint-Anselme, http://www.diomoncton.ca/fr/parish/dieppe-saint-anselme ***
Paroisse Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, http://www.diomoncton.ca/en/parish/dieppe-notre-dame-de-lorette ***
Paroisse Sainte-Thérèse de l'Enfant-Jésus, http://www.diomoncton.ca/en/parish/dieppe-sainte-therese-de-l-enfant-jesus ***
THE SALVATION ARMY IN CANADA,
First Moncton United Baptist Church http://www.firstmoncton.com/
Moncton Wesleyan Church http://mw.church/
St. Paul's United Churchhttp://www.stpaulsriverview.org/
The Corporation of the Parish of Riverview no website
Religieuses Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur no website ***

New Brunswick Southwest
MP Karen Ludwig, LIb.
Diocesan Synod of Fredericton http://anglican.nb.ca/
Kirk-McColl United Church https://marconf.ca/presbyteries/st-croix/st-stephen-kirkandmccoll/
Oak Hill Christian Centre Inc. http://www.gatewaycathedral.com/ohcc.html
Roman Catholic Bishop of Saint John http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/ ***
Sandy Cove Bible Camp http://sandycovebiblecamp.ca/
St. Augustine's Parish http://www.dioceseofsaintjohn.org/Parishes/Saint-John-Region/St-Augustine-s-Parish.aspx ***
St. Stephen's Association for Christian Education http://ssu.ca/
St. Stephen's University http://ssu.ca/

Saint John-Rothesay
MP Wayne Long, Lib
Corporation of the Anglican Parish of Lancaster http://www.anglicanparishstandrewsnb.ca/about-us/
Saint John Jewish Historical Society Inc. http://jewishmuseumsj.com/home.html
St. David's United Church http://www.rothesayunitedchurch.ca/saintdavidsunited/
St. Mark's United Church https://stmarksunited.ca/
The Corporation of the Anglican Parish of Saint John https://www.anglican.ca/about/organization/dioceses/
Sisters of Charity I.C. Ruth Ross Residence http://www.sistersofcharityic.com/associates.html **

Tobique-Mactaquac
MP T. J. Harvey, Lib
Carleton-Victoria United Pentecostal Children's Camp, http://www.bannoncamp.com/
Calvary Tabernacle Inc, http://calvarytabernacle.ca/
Nashwaak Valley Pentecostal Church Inc, https://www.nvpctaymouth.org/
Calvary United Pentecostal Church (Woodstock) Inc. http://www.calvaryupc.com/

All errors are mine. If I've asterisked as Catholic a group that is not, let me know in the comments and I'll fix it.

Crisis Pregnancy Centres in Canada: Now with Ultrasound Machines

Doing some research for our ongoing series on public funding of crisis pregnancy centres (Part 1 and Part 2), I ran across some information about ultrasounds in Canadian fake clinics.

First, regular readers know that DJ! has a fascination for the fetus fetishists' um, fetish for ultrasounds used to somehow magically connect abortion-minded women to their blobs and immediately reverse any desire for self-determination.

In the US, the fancy-dress army of the Vatican Taliban, aka the Knights of Columbus, has a huge fundraising project to buy the machines for as many fake clinics as they can. Despite the fact that ultrasounds do NOT dissuade women from abortion, howevermuch the fetus freaks lie about it.

I wondered what the situation on ultrasounds in fake clinics in Canada was. So I looked.

I found a lengthy discussion from 2013 in The Interim, which bills itself as "Canada's Life and Family Newspaper." It details the magical properties of ultrasounds and the efforts to equip USian fake clinics with them. Then it goes into the situation in Canada.

Crisis pregnancy centers in Canada looking to use ultrasounds to convince women to keep their babies face regulatory obstacles that their American counterparts often do not.

Regulations regarding ultrasound facilities differ throughout Canada. In Ontario, diagnostic clinics must acquire an Independent Health Facilities License, which will be granted, according to the 2005 guide, to clinics operating in "under-serviced" areas. The nature and cost of the service will also be considered. Under the Independent Health Facilities Act, each clinic must have a quality advisor and an advisory committee to advise the quality advisor. The Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act of Ontario requires each diagnostic facility to have a radiation protection officer (a role that may be assumed by the quality advisor). British Columbia has a temporary moratorium on diagnostic services and will license private office obstetric/gynecologic ultrasounds with accredited radiologists that have proven there is a need for their services. 

Ultrasound facilities are also monitored by the provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons. In general, ultrasound exams in Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta must be conducted by certified sonographers and there must be a sonologist or a physician accredited in diagnostic imaging available for consultation, supervision, or review of exams during operating hours. In Alberta, there must be a medical director, who is also a physician, as well as a consult physician. Manitoba has ergonomic standards, requiring "properly designed" scanning chairs, support cushions, as well as adjustable stretchers and footrests.

Canada's CPCs do not have in-house ultrasounds like their counterparts in the U.S. Linda Baartse, director of the Pregnancy Care Centre in Toronto, told The Interim that financing ultrasounds is "not the area of first priority" for her organization. She said that there are better ways for her group to spend the money that would otherwise be involved in the high cost of starting up and running ultrasound services. The PCC prefers, instead, to provide mothers with material support, opening new locations, and raising awareness. Rather, the Pregnancy Care Centre has a referral list of physicians that could help the woman access medical services such as ultrasounds.

Juergen Severloh, executive director of the Crisis Pregnancy Centre of Winnipeg, told The Interim in an email interview that the centre unsuccessfully tried to buy a used ultrasound machine from the hospital in 1997. Currently, CPC of Winnipeg provides clients with cards that entitle them to a free ultrasound and DVD at Babymoon, a third-party ultrasound business. Severloh believes that a "pregnancy centre should become linked to the ultrasound services of local pro-life physician's offices," it may pay for the set up costs and supplies in exchange for medical expertise, avoiding liability, and immediate service for clients.

I found that reassuring. Good old Canada has rules and regulations about gangs of nutters running totally unnecessary diagnostics on people in order to manipulate them.

But then I looked further. It seems The Interim is not quite up to speed.
In April 2012, it was reported that the Edmonton Pregnancy Crisis Centre had scored one of the magic machines.

The Edmonton Pregnancy Crisis Centre has qualified counsellors, informative brochures and educational videos for its clients. Recently the centre introduced its new tool to help prevent abortion.

A total of 33 Knights of Columbus councils from in and around Edmonton donated money for an ultrasound machine. It is a diagnostic method using high frequency sound waves to obtain images internally.
...
A sonographer has volunteered her time to operate the unit at the centre. She comes in according to need.

More looking revealed that the anti-abortion gang in Fredericton also has one.

In addition to your pregnancy test, an ultrasound scan may provide you with precise and helpful information about whether you are pregnant and, if so, how far along you are. Our ultrasounds are performed by a certified nurse-sonographer. We are pleased to offer you this as a complimentary service.

Interesting, no?

We're now wondering if there are more fake clinics in Canada subjecting women to this humiliating and coercive non-medical procedure.

If you know of any, please leave details in the comments.

Canadian Ambassador: "Abortion = Terrorism"

What kind of maroon would compare the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to a common medical procedure?

The next Canadian ambassador to the Vatican Taliban, that's who.

Mr. [Dennis] Savoie, once a senior executive at New Brunswick Power and a former top official with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic service organization, was tapped Friday to represent Canada to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in Vatican City.

As if Canada's international reputation needed any further mockery criticism, now we've got one of these jackasses representing us.



Not only does he have zero diplomatic experience, he's a rabid fetus fetishist.

A December 2009 post on a “Quebec Life Coalition” website discusses a pro-life speech where he talks about the need to defend this position in a “Quebec culture that seems increasingly bent on killing the vulnerable” by abortion.

“Mr. Savoie started his speech by comparing the 3,000 deaths from 9/11 to the over 3,000 daily deaths that result from abortion,” the website says.

“‘Why,’ he wondered out loud ‘were we so stunned and bewildered by the 3,000 deaths on 9-11 when we’re so silent about the 3,000-plus deaths that occur each day in North America from abortion?’,” Mr. Savoie is reported to have said.

NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar said his party feels the new envoy is unfit to represent Canada.

“Comparing reproductive rights to 9/11 terror attacks is not the kind of judgment we expect in a Canadian diplomat. Appointments like this will further undermine Canada’s reputation on the international stage,” Mr. Dewar said.

A man who considers the exercise of human rights (by slutty women) equivalent to terrorism? Sure, why the fuck not?

It's just another step in furthering the religious take-over of the Harper Government.

A March news release by the American Knights of Columbus reports on a private luncheon attended by Supreme Director of the Canadian Knights, Robert Cayea, and Speaker of the House, Conservative MP Andrew Scheer. The Speaker is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10418 in Regina.

Other notable members of the Knights include Conservative MP Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and a potential successor to PM Stephen Harper. Kenney, too, voted in favor of Motion 312. Last June, on behalf of the Canadian government, Kenny awarded Deputy Supreme Knight Dennis A. Savoie with a commemorative medal for his charitable work and contribution “to the revitalization of the new voices of lay Catholics” expressing “the values of dignity of the human person and the sanctity of human life.”

And don't forget another promient a feather-hatted fetus fetishist. Stephen Woodworth.

ADDED: Just saw this. So succinct.

HarperLand™ John Baird chose an old, sexist phallocrate who can barely hold his penis straight when he pees http://t.co/yFrLmAuTrV #CDNPoli
— Julie (@Juicexlx) August 2, 2014

MORE: Andrew Bennett, Mr *Religious Freedoms* Ambassador was also a K o' C fella. May still be, for all we know though his Ko-Conspirators, all good Catholic family men and proud patriarchs found it odd that a bachelor chose to join. Read that in his parish newsletter.

ShriEEEk! Radical foreign lobby funds Canadian group

Oh.  Wait. 

This radical foreign "special interest" lobby?

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family [...] was cofounded by the Conference of Bishops and the world’s largest fraternal Catholic organization, the U.S.-based Knights of Columbus, “to build a culture of life and a civilization of love by promoting respect for human life and dignity and the essential role of the family.”  [...]
Although COLF is autonomous and they do their own publication, they still rely on outside sources to survive and are co-funded largely by the Conference of Bishops and the Knights of Columbus  [...] Based out of Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus run a network of charitable organizations which fund everything from broadcast media and construction of churches to scholarships and political activism. As of February 2011, the Canadian Knights have 227,538 members comprising 1,942 councils which form a dominant part of a link connecting potent Members of Parliament, the pro-life movement and the Catholic church.
Woodworth is a Knight, as are Americans John Boehner, Jeb Bush, and Rick Santorum.  [...]  The Canadian March of Life received $6,250 from the Knights of Columbus in 2004. In 2005, the Ottawa march disappeared from the books, but the Campaign for Life Coalition became an item on the cash recipient list with $17,752 in total financial support from 2005 to 2007.
Furthermore, according to a public statement by the Canadian Knights of Columbus, the annual interest of their $1 million Bishop du Laval fund is given directly to the Conference of Bishops. The statement also notes that the “Canadian Knights have also been key supporters and participants in Canada’s annual March of Life.” [...]
A March news release by the American Knights of Columbus records a private luncheon attended by Supreme Director of the Canadian Knights, Robert Cayea, and Speaker of the House, Conservative MP Andrew Scheer. The Speaker is himself a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10418 in Regina. Other notable members of the Knights include Conservative MP Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and a potential successor to PM Stephen Harper.

From here.



Its representatives (that we know) in the House of Commons: MP Stephen Woodworth, Minister Jason Kenney and Speaker Andrew Scheer.

Where's *Ethical Oil* Kathryn Marshall to shrieeek about a radical "foreign special interest" lobby and the art of political puppetry when her incomparable performance art is required?

This will have to do, then. 

Grand merci to Teri Mooring.

Today's Weasel Award

Back here, we found a conveeenient connection between the Knights of Columbus who were looking for an anti-choice MP to push their fetal rights agenda and -- SURPRISE! -- a member of the KoC and current stalking horse for the Hidden Agenda® Stephen Woodworth. I said I'd ask him on Twitter and I did.

@WoodworthMP Care to comment? …hinglywrongrightwingnutz.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-co… Are you KoC's point man on fetal rights? #prochoice #cdnpoli #HiddenAgenda

— Fern Hill (@fernhilldammit) February 16, 2012

First, the acronym defeats him.

@fernhilldammit I'm not sure what you mean by KoC,but I'm no one's point man #prochoice #cdnpoli Nor is mine a #HiddenAgenda

— Stephen Woodworth (@WoodworthMP) February 18, 2012

And he clearly hasn't had the grace (or wit) to read the link. I try to help out.

@WoodworthMP You belong to Knights of Columbus or KoC. Share fetal rights as goal. Working with? Prohint: info to be found in links often.

— Fern Hill (@fernhilldammit) February 18, 2012

Next, he goes all McCarthy-esque (with some Freudian lingerie showing in 'Knoghts'?) on my ass. Still clearly NOT having read the link.

@fernhilldammit "Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Knoghts of Columbus?Good grief!! #abortiondebate #prochoice

— Stephen Woodworth (@WoodworthMP) February 18, 2012

His aw-shuxing doesn't go over well.

.@WoodworthMP @thereginamom @fernhilldammit @ToewsVic Just a humble backbencher, opening a discussion the PM promised not to. #cdnpoli

— Diddy Boo (@DiddyBoo1) February 18, 2012

Nor his McCarthy refs.

Isn't that cute?! @WoodworthMP makes McCarthy references, while his #CPC cohorts make warrantless searches legal. Bravo! @fernhilldammit

— Tweeting Ninja (@parliament_nil) February 18, 2012

And now Woodworth again. Not answering questions, aw-shuxing it up -- while respectfully flinging red-scare poo -- WINS today's Weasel Award with:

@fernhilldammit#prochoice #cdnpoli I am simply focussed on the policy not the politics

— Stephen Woodworth (@WoodworthMP) February 18, 2012

I think I'm done with direct contact with the guy.

Now imagine him on a Standing Committee on Abortion. With Trost, Vellacott, McVety. . .

Aieeee!

How Conveeeenient

On May 27, shortly after the federal election last year, we blogged on the Knights of Columbus.

At their 108th Ontario State Convention in Toronto on May 22nd, the Ontario Knights unanimously passed a resolution “to work with a Member of Parliament to introduce a Parliamentary Bill seeking the restoration of full legal protection for the lives of the unborn.”

Hm, Stephen Woodworth is an Ontario Catholic.

Does he have any connection to the KoC? From his about page, yes, indeed he does.

Over the years Stephen has also had the privilege of assisting many local organizations as a Board member or advisor.  He was elected a School Trustee in Kitchener in 1994, 1997 and 2000, served on the board of Big Brothers, volunteered regularly with the Knights of Columbus and has been a lector at his church since 1967.

'Volunteering regularly' sounds kinda distant and benign, like volunteering regularly at a food bank or something. But you know, not actually involved or a member or . . .

Oh. Wait. He is a member. (Quite the list there, including Samuel Alito, John Boehner, and Canadian MPs Denis Coderre and Rob Nicholson.)

Seems the Knights found their MP and he's one of them.

Would some enterprising journo please ask Mr Woodworth about this?

ADDED: I asked him on Twitter this morning, now 7 hours ago. No answer. No surprise.

@WoodworthMP Care to comment? …hinglywrongrightwingnutz.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-co… Are you KoC's point man on fetal rights? #prochoice #cdnpoli #HiddenAgenda

— Fern Hill (@fernhilldammit) February 16, 2012

And They're Off!

So it begins.

Ontario’s Knights of Columbus are joining Knights from across Canada in an effort to bring forward a bill in Parliament that would enshrine full protections for children in the womb.

At their 108th Ontario State Convention in Toronto on May 22nd, the Ontario Knights unanimously passed a resolution “to work with a Member of Parliament to introduce a Parliamentary Bill seeking the restoration of full legal protection for the lives of the unborn.”

The organization claims to have 1.8 million members worldwide.

It's gonna be a long four years.

Maybe we should do a Canadian version of this great fundraising effort for Planned Parenthood to raise dough to fight the fetus fetishists up here.