We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House to the following:

WHEREAS, Section 223 (1) of the Canadian Criminal Code definition of when child becomes human being remains identical to Section 195 (1) Statutes of Canada, 1953-1954;

AND WHEREAS, the phrase after becoming a human being was added to Section 223 (2) in 1968;

AND WHEREAS, the science of embryology, ultra-sound, intra-uterine photography, micro-surgery and fetal health interventions have confirmed that a pre-born child is a distinct, developing, fully alive human being, regardless of the means of procreation, age, race, sex, gender, condition of physical or mental dependency and/or disability;

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon Parliament to strike down Section 223 (1) and Section 223 (2) of the Canadian Criminal Code and replace it with a definition that reflects current embryological knowledge; recognizes the humanity and dignity of the child before birth; and extends full legal protection to every human being from their biological beginnings to natural death.