Members of the Prince Albert Right to Life Association were among 1,000s of pro-life groups across North America who created a Life Chain to protest against abortion and euthanasia in October.

Pro-life residents lined Second Avenue in Prince Albert, holding placards calling for an end to abortion and euthanasia. Event coordinator Dalerie Hetrick said it’s important to show solidarity with the victims of abortion and euthanasia, especially those who participate because they feel they have no other option.

“We just stand here praying for families,” Hetrick explained. “It’s a silent prayer witness. We pray for an hour, and then we come together for a little bit of fellowship.”

Tai Le, a Priest at Prince Albert’s Sacred Heart Cathederal, was one many supporters in attendance. He said the decision to support the Life Chain was an easy one.

“It’s part of our faith to support life,” he explained. “God created us, so for us as Catholics, it’s very important for us to support the sanctity of life. Creation is a gift from God.”

The 2022 Life Chain marked the first time since COVID started that the organization was able to host the annual event. A lot has changed since then, the biggest difference being Roe vs. Wade, the American court decision that conferred the right to have an abortion in the U.S., which was struck down in June.

Hetrick said the decision was completely unexpected, and has revitalized pro-life groups in Canada.

“I definitely think it’s going to have an impact,” she said. “It’s definitely regenerated the troops after two years of lockdown and not really being able to do anything or spread the pro-life message, or even help people, really.

“People are enthused and excited. The chances of Roe v Wade going down were so slim that when they did, I guess on my scale it was a bit of a miracle. I never excepted to see that in my lifetime, so we’re very excited to see that.”

While Hetrick and others welcomed the news about Roe v Wade, they are very concerned about where Canada has headed with euthanasia.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticized organizations that bring up medically-assisted dying unprompted in conversations with patients who are seeking help. In August, he called the practice “completely unacceptable” following reports about an anonymous veteran who sought help from Veteran Affairs Canada, but received an offer of euthanasia instead.

However, the federal government also plans to expand its Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program, and has defended MAID in parliament. Hetrick said local organizations like Right to Life will have to push for laws that protect nurses and doctors if the federal government keeps supporting MAID legislation.

“It’s a horrific thing,” she said. “I think it’s really seriously playing on the conscience of doctors and nurses…. We really need to put in some protective laws for healthcare workers. They need to be able to determine on their own, and not be forced to take part.”

Hetrick added that she’s worried about where Canada’s MAID laws will lead, but she’s not surprised to see such permissive laws in the first place.

“It’s something that we said 30 years ago about abortion, that if abortion was going to be allowed—if you can kill a child before it’s born—then what’s to stop us from killing elderly people or handicapped people or dysfunctional people in any way, shape, and form,” she said. “There’s really nothing. That bar has been set so low now that everybody’s fair game.”