Contraception not a part of G8 maternal health program—say—the Conservatives. An astonishingly backward notion, indeed, but this is Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s starting-off point going in to the G8 summit, mouthed again as late as last week in the House of Commons, to the utter disgust of the Opposition.

Our country prepares to host the summit, only a month away. A chilly political climate for the Summit it is—thanks to our prime minister, his mealy minister cohorts and their wilful interference with rational thinking. Hence, the ongoing struggle for a woman’s right to control her own body and her own fate; played out in Harper’s personal war—exemplified by him—forcing us to have Canada, represented as, and supposedly agreeing; to removing abortion funding resources, in any initiative that’s to be put forth at the G8. (Don’t think he’s stopped there. Planned Parenthood and 11 women’s NGOs have had their funding cut.)

Embarrassment—that’s the general sentiment, says one spokesperson from the field:

Read more: http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/politicaljunkie/2010/06/02/harper-disfigures-canada’s-political-face-abortion-position