Thousands rally in Ottawa for National March for Life on abortion anniversary

Thousands gathered in Ottawa on May 14 for the National March for Life, marking the anniversary of Canada’s 1969 Omnibus Bill that decriminalised abortion. The event drew a diverse crowd, including families, religious groups, and activists, all calling for stronger legal protections for unborn children. The march began with morning liturgies at Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Basilica, and St. Clement Church. Archbishop Marcel Damphousse and other clergy led the services before participants set off from Parliament Hill.

Organisers chose a Thursday to ensure legislators were present to hear their message. Debbie Duval, one of the event’s leaders, stressed the importance of speaking out against abortion and euthanasia while lawmakers were in session. Speakers included Arnold Viersen, a Conservative MP, who brought his two young children on stage during his address. Matthew Wojciechoski, project manager at Campaign Life Coalition, urged Parliament to introduce laws protecting human life from conception to natural death. Jeff Gunnarson, the coalition’s national president, asked the crowd to pray for Jim Hughes, the group’s founder, who was hospitalised with pneumonia. Rebecca Kiessling, a U.S. lawyer and founder of Save the 1, shared her personal story of being conceived by rape and surviving two abortion attempts due to legal protections. Aleš Primc, co-founder of Slovenia’s Voice for Children and Families, led the crowd in greeting different groups, reinforcing a message of shared humanity. The march itself took nearly 25 minutes to move from Parliament Hill into downtown Ottawa, with participants carrying pro-life signs.

The event brought together people of different ages, ethnicities, and faiths, all united in their opposition to abortion and euthanasia. The organisers made clear their demand for legal changes, ensuring their voices were heard by those in power.