The streets of Ottawa transformed into a sea of anti-abortion placards and religious imagery Thursday as thousands gathered for the annual March for Life rally, with this year’s event taking unprecedented aim at Canada’s political leadership across party lines.
Under overcast skies, demonstrators converged on Parliament Hill where speakers directed sharp criticism toward both Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and potential Liberal leadership contender Mark Carney, signaling a new strategic focus for the movement in Canada’s increasingly polarized political landscape.
“We’re fighting a battle on multiple fronts,” said Ruth Shaw, executive director of the National Campus Life Network, addressing the crowd from the main stage. “When Mark Carney says he’s personally opposed to abortion but won’t do anything politically, that’s not leadership—that’s cowardice.”
The pointed criticism of Carney comes as the former Bank of Canada governor continues to be courted as a potential successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, despite not having formally entered the race. Anti-abortion organizers distributed flyers featuring Carney’s image alongside text condemning his stance as “personally opposed but politically supportive” of abortion access.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has repeatedly stated he would not introduce abortion legislation if elected, faced equally pointed criticism. Rally organizers expressed frustration over what they described as the Conservative Party’s reluctance to engage with their movement despite shared values on other social issues.
“We have a voice, we have votes, and we expect to be heard,” said Jeff Gunnarson, national president of Campaign Life Coalition, which organizes the annual event. “Politicians who claim to represent family values cannot continue to sidestep this fundamental moral issue.”
The demonstration comes at a politically sensitive moment. With Liberal polling numbers at historic lows and speculation about Trudeau’s leadership growing, anti-abortion advocates appear to be leveraging their influence within the conservative base while simultaneously pressuring potential Liberal leadership alternatives.
Several Conservative MPs made appearances at the rally, including Arnold Viersen and Leslyn Lewis, though notably, no members of the party’s senior leadership attended. Their presence underscores the delicate balancing act facing the Conservative Party, which must navigate between its socially conservative base and broader electoral appeal.
“There’s a misconception that Canadian politics has settled the abortion question,” said Dr. Elaine Thompson, political science professor at Carleton University, who observed the rally. “Today’s demonstration shows that for a significant portion of voters, this remains a mobilizing issue that could influence voter behavior in ways party strategists may be underestimating.”
The March for Life has grown increasingly sophisticated in its political messaging. This year’s rally featured coordinated social media campaigns, professional-quality livestreams, and strategically placed volunteers gathering contact information from attendees—all indicating a movement focused on building long-term political influence rather than simply expressing moral opposition.
Counter-protesters were also present, though in smaller numbers and kept separate by police barricades. Their presence highlighted the enduring tension surrounding reproductive rights in Canada, despite polling that consistently shows majority support for abortion access.
As Canada approaches what promises to be a contentious election cycle, the question remains: will anti-abortion advocacy translate into meaningful political leverage, or will party leaders continue to treat it as a settled issue while navigating the complexities of a nation with deeply divided views on when life begins?
