Multi-thousand March for Life against abortion and euthanasia held in Canada

March for Life in Ottawa. Photo: Shutterstock

On May 14, 2026, Canada's capital hosted a national March for Life, which, according to organizers' estimates, gathered thousands of participants of different ages, professions, and ethnic groups, reports EWTN News. The event marked the anniversary of the the omnibus bill that decriminalized abortion in Canada, passed in May 1969. 

The event began with liturgies celebrated at Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Basilica, and St. Clement. Ottawa-Cornwall Archbishop Marcel Damphousse was the main celebrant at the cathedral, joined by papal nuncio Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Bryan Bayda, and some 30 priests and deacons. According to organizer Debbie Duval, the march is traditionally held on Thursday when legislators are sitting in the House of Commons so that "they hear us and know that we are here."

Matthew Wojciechoski, Project Manager at Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), which organizes the annual event, told the crowd, "We are here to call upon the members of Parliament to enact legal protections for all human beings from conception up to natural death. To remind Parliament of four simple words, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’"

One of the forum's most prominent speakers was American human rights activist Rebecca Kiessling, who was conceived as a result of rape. She stated that she survived in her mother's womb only thanks to the laws that were in effect at the time, and emphasized: "I did not deserve the death penalty for the crime of the man who raped my mother. My mother chose abortion. I wasn’t lucky: I was protected. The law matters."

Across the country, hundreds also gathered at the annual March for Life in Victoria, British Columbiaʼs capital city, where participants marched through downtown streets carrying pro-life signs and banners before rallying at the legislature to hear speakers, including Vancouver Archbishop Richard Smith. He noted that such actions are a testimony to the beauty of all life and opposition to the devastating force of abortion and the expanding practice of euthanasia in Canada.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Orthodox Christians in Germany participated in a march for life in Munich.

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