Abolish abortion tops Facebook Internet wish list

CBC sponsors The Great Canadian Wish list website.

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

When the CBC set up a Facebook group on the Internet called The Great Canadian Wish List, perhaps no one could have predicted that "Abolish Abortion in Canada" would rise to first place almost from the start.

Facebook.com is the latest Internet phenomenon. The website that allows people to connect, join networks and start and join groups. Members can upload photos, music and videos. It helps them keep track of their friends. Facebook is exploding in Canada.

The CBC jumped on the bandwagon, sponsored the group and called on Canadians to post their wishes for Canada's 140th birthday. It will announce the winning wish on July 1, Canada Day.

As of June 19, "Abolish Abortion in Canada" wish had more than 4,500 votes, with "I wish that Canada would remain pro-choice" in second place, about 700 votes behind.

Preborn child

Dave Gilbert, a Wilfred Laurier University student, launched the pro-life wish, to "redeem the humanity of the preborn child."

"The term 'foetus' is from Latin and means 'offspring' or 'young one,' Gilbert wrote, introducing the wish. "It is a stage in development for the newly created human, just like toddler. Stages of development change, but we are always human."

Gilbert's wish soaring to top spot has been featured in some news stories, including one on CBC television news.

Meanwhile, both sides of the abortion debate are recruiting like mad to make sure their wish wins. On June 18, the pro-choice crowd added 700 votes to their cause, steadily gaining on the pro-life wish.

Pro-life Catholic blogger Suzanne Fortin of Ottawa has been mobilizing people to keep "Abolish Abortion" in top spot.

"Basically it's to get more attention to a cause and to say there are lots of people who support legal protection for the unborn child," said Fortin in an interview.

Top issue

"Lots of people say it's a dead issue, but for many Canadians obtaining rights for unborn children is a top issue," she said.

Fortin reported that pro-choice blogs are recruiting people, including Americans, to join Facebook and vote for the pro-choice wish.

"If their cause is so popular why do they need Americans to support their wish?" she said. "I've made it very clear in every communication I only want Canadians joining."

Fortin has also tried to bump the pro-choice wish from second place by urging support for additional wishes such as "For a spiritual revival in our nation" and "Restore the Traditional Definition of Marriage," socially conservative wishes that have remained in the top 10.

Fortin is not alone in her efforts. She described the grassroots movement to keep the wish at the top as "diffuse" and "widespread."

Facebook has exploded on the Canadian scene in recent weeks. News outlets have used Facebook profiles to find out information about murder suspects. Politicians are using Facebook to stay in touch with voters and journalists are using Facebook to gain access to the profiles of politicians.

Catholic groups abound, including one for the 2008 Eucharistic Congress in Quebec.

Make a wish

Fortin has instructions on how to join Facebook and register on the wish contest at her website www.bigbluewave.ca.

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