“We aim for everyone who marches to go away feeling motivated, so we can go back to our communities and ensure we don’t have a 26th March for Life.”

Craig Macartney
Senior Writer

The National March for Life marks their 25th anniversary with big plans for this year’s march. Although they expect smaller crowds than previous years, the March is back in person, rallying on Parliament Hill May 12, at 12:30.

“This is not exactly a milestone we want to be celebrating,” says Josie Luetke, the co-youth coordinator for Campaign Life Coalition (CLC). “But while abortion remains legal, we are committed and proud to return to Parliament Hill, year after year, to demand an end to the killing. Our resolve will outlast this injustice.”

Canada remains one of only three countries globally (China and North Korea being the other two) with no laws restricting abortion.

“It’s hard to believe that we still have to march to show our elected officials that the killing of the innocents and encouraging the killing of the elderly, infirmed, and mentally ill is a crime, and that we need protection for them,” adds Debbie Duval, CLC’s national capital organizer.

Duval says the March is partly about mourning the 4 million pre-born babies killed in Canada since abortion was first legalized by Pierre Trudeau, on May 14, 1969. “That’s 100,000 a year—300 innocent babies killed each and every day.”

“The main difference from previous years is that most of the events associated with the National March for Life are now hybrid ones.” Photo by Craig Macartney.

Yet March organizers foster a positive and encouraging environment. Luetke explain that they “aim for everyone who marches to go away feeling motivated, so we can go back to our communities and ensure we don’t have a 26th March for Life.”

Beyond the actual rally, CLC organizes a series of religious and educational events in the week surrounding the March. They are hosting a youth summit, on May 11, training young people to advocate for life. The night before the March, they host a candlelight vigil at the Human Rights Monument. After the March, they have their annual Rose Dinner gala. This year’s Rose Dinner speaker is Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee satirical news site.

This year they also streamed eight pro-life films in the weeks leading up to the March. The “Life on Film” series culminates with the national premiere of Lifemark—a new pro-life movie starring Kirk Cameron, and made by the Kendrick brothers (makers of Overcomer and War Room).

“The main difference from previous years is that most of the events associated with the National March for Life are now hybrid ones,” Luetke says. “No matter where someone is in Canada, they’ll be able to participate in our Youth Summit and Candlelight Vigil, which has greatly expanded our reach.”

The March’s theme this year is “I AM”. Luetke says the theme is so meaningful because it is layered. It is a call to recognize the humanity of the pre-born and that human worth is inherent.

“‘I AM’ is also a name of God,” Luetke explains. “He revealed His name to mankind when tasking Moses with leading His people out of the bondage of slavery. We call upon God’s name now to free us from the bondage of the culture of death.”

With the recent leaked draft ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, indicating that the American federal abortion provisions may soon be overturned, this year’s March carries extra weight. The pro-life movement is being energized with hope and faith.

“With the Roe v. Wade decision, people have renewed energy so the [Canadian] landscape can change by next year,” says Luetke. “I know that is overly optimistic, but I think we need to work like that is a possibility, and one day it will be.”