B.C. Conservative leadership hopeful John Cummins opposes abortion at all times

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      Yesterday (March 29), former Conservative MP John Cummins didn't stick around to answer too many questions after announcing his intention to become B.C.'s next premier.

      It's too bad because some voters will probably want to know where Cummins stands these days on the abortion issue.

      The former Conservative MP for Delta-Richmond East has told the anti-abortion group Campaign Life Coalition in the past that he opposes abortion under any circumstances.

      Many years ago in response to a different questionnaire, Cummins told the same group that he favours delisting abortion procedures from provincial medical plans.

      This wasn't such a big deal at the time because Cummins was a federal MP sitting on the opposition side of the House of Commons.

      But now, Cummins is seeking the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives with the goal of replacing B.C. Liberal premier Christy Clark.

      Under the British North America Act, provinces have jurisdiction over health care, which gives a premier a chance to influence the abortion issue.

      B.C.'s last explicitly anti-abortion premier was Bill Vander Zalm, who, in office, also proposed delisting abortion services from the provincial medical plan. That caused a caucus revolt.

      Prior to the 2008 federal election, Cummins told Campaign Life Coalition that if elected, he will "strive to introduce and pass laws to protect unborn children from the time of conception (fertilization) onward".

      Moreover, he answered "yes" to the question: If elected, would you support all legislative or policy proposals that would result in a meaningful increase of respect and protection for unborn human life?

      Cummins has also told Campaign Life Coalition in the past that he opposes embryonic stem-cell research, doctor-assisted suicide, and same-sex marriage. In addition, he voted against adding sexual orientation as a ground for discrimination under the Human Rights Act.

      Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.

      Comments

      27 Comments

      Bruno15

      Mar 30, 2011 at 9:42am

      Oh now we're talking ... cue Randy White, et al. The framing of the BC Conservatives as religious wing-nuts is well under way. You have to think this is in no small part orchestrated by Christy Crunch and the BC Liberals. Any more of this talk (I suspect it will be endless) and attracting a reputable candidate will be impossible.

      I know where JC (can that be coincidence that the BC Conservative leader's initials are JC ... hee, hee) stands on the HST, so I’d really like to hear more about his positions on key social issues like Planned Parenthood funding and supervised injection sites. Can we also get JC's opinion on the age and inception of planet earth please. Amen.

      Martha

      Mar 30, 2011 at 10:12am

      For the first time he just lost my vote......we don't need crackpot teabagger agendas in B.C. or anywhere else in Canada.

      What next, legislation to prevent the province from being taken over by Sharia law??

      monty/that's me

      Mar 30, 2011 at 1:20pm

      This man is old....way beyond his best before date. His ideas are from the paleolithic age. His ego is massive, his intelligence limited. Just what did he accomplish in Ottawa, anyway. Fishers have sold their boats and given up. He should take himself to his "hobby" farm with his $100,000 year pension. Anyone know what his "hobby" is?

      Michael Watkins

      Mar 30, 2011 at 2:05pm

      What's really funny is that some in the BC Liberal Party believe Cummings is a lefty, while others outside - like Cummings supporter former Premier Rita Johnson, believe the Liberals are lefties just this side of the NDP.

      Ok everyone, start your own party of one so that micro-adaptation of political representation of views can take hold in this province... meaning government will have to be formed by - wait for it...

      ... coalition!

      glen p robbins

      Mar 30, 2011 at 4:08pm

      When I had indicated I wanted to run for leader of the BC Conservatives - it was suggested that I make my announcement with John Cummins as the main speaker.

      Naturally I said "what you say Willis?" - No chance.

      Now the entrance fee is $10,000.00. The entrance fee simply to run as an Independent in a federal election is $1,000.

      How does it look if a beginner party of sorts like the BC Conservatives has only Cummins run for leader--- or alternatively only insiders?

      What is Chris Delaney is the only one who runs for BC First?

      All the parties are a closed shop. You can be a member - you can vote - but you can't really participate. People know this - and that is why fewer people are voting. Back in the day - an interested person believed that they could run if they truly wanted to - now most people are aware that this is a myth.

      RonS

      Mar 30, 2011 at 4:34pm

      Wow! What a Cro-Magnon! I may be insulting the Cro-Magnon man but this guy is a knuckle dragger. Back to your Cave John!

      Why?

      Mar 30, 2011 at 7:30pm

      Nothing like an angry 69 year old white man telling the ladies what to do with their bodies.

      EastVanArts

      Mar 30, 2011 at 7:47pm

      Does Christy Clark pay Mr Cummins to say these ridiculous things?

      He is so far to the right that he has fallen off the flat earth in which he undoubtedly believes. His position on a woman's right to choose was repudiated forty years ago. His attitude toward marriage equality belongs in Alabama, not British Columbia.

      Mr Cummins seems braindead to the fact that, in BC, our greatest leaders have always been progressives and populists. It was WAC Bennett who nationalized BC Electric, who built BC Ferries, and who created BC Med -- all policies lifted from the CCF/NDP playbook.

      It was David Barrett who created the ALR, and ICBC, and the BC Ambulance Service, and doubled provincial park acreage, and saved Whistler/Blackcomb, and so much more that today we take for granted.

      Reactionaries like John Cummins have -- in fact -- never been taken seriously in our politics. We are a better and more forward-thinking people than he will ever know.

      Chet

      Mar 30, 2011 at 7:53pm

      So we have this ol' coot here n Christy Smiles for Famblies.
      Anyone see the contradiction ?

      Skulander

      Mar 30, 2011 at 8:49pm

      There has to be a MASSIVE revolt about this. It's disgusting. It's outrageous. It's a war on women's bodies, nothing less. Let's make sure this guy NEVER GETS ELECTED. Plain and simple. And I would go further. I think it's critical that we seriously start thinking about putting in the constitution measures that would ensure that women have full control of what comes in and out of their uteri. It's time to protect women against these right-wing nutcases.