"The rule of law in a democracy requires the public's ongoing consent and confidence in order to survive. Any widespread unease with the essential fairness of our justice system can cripple it. Perception becomes reality when suspicion of injustice is allowed to fester. The system must be capable of quickly and convincingly resolving any such doubts." (Steven Owen - November 1990

"...it is crucial that the justice system in this province be seen to be independent, not corrupted by politics, and is seen to be working in the public's best interest."(B.C. Attorney General Colin Gabelmann - Vancouver Sun - October 4, 1994)

Mr. Gabelmann might have believed passionately in the above statements, but his actions and the actions of his Ministry and others in the law-enforcement arm of government suggest otherwise.

In 1988 then Steven Owen was asked to investigate the inappropriate surveillance of B.C.'s so-called pro-choice movement. At stake in the issue was not merely the "covert" surveillance of those who are abortion advocates, but the fact that, although acting legally, it "...sent a dangerous message to those who held a different view."

In 1993, representatives of the government held a series of secret, clandestine meetings with various representatives of B.C.'s abortion industry. In his defense of the these meetings, Mr. Gabelmann stated that he and Ministry officials were merely meeting with those organizations that held a court injunction.

But that's where reality differs once again with Mr. Gabelmann's view of the facts.

Mr. Colin Gabelmann, then Attorney General of British Columbia and the chief law enforcement officer of British Columbia met with representatives of an organization, the B.C. Coalition for Abortion Clinics, that has, in their own admission, advocated, organized and executed illegal activity of a political nature in the province of British Columbia. The BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics was never a registered society in British Columbia. It does not have legal standing in regards to any litigation, past or present, nor does it have standing in any court order, injunction or similar legal document. It is a political lobby group, plain and simple.

In October of 1990 we have Joy Thompson of the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics arrested for illegally occupying then Justice Minister Kim Campbell's office. A fund raising letter issued by the BC Coalition shortly after admits that the entire illegal political demonstration was advocated, organized and executed by the BC Coalition.

Joy Thompson, again representing the BC Coalition, advocated in a press report in 1990 that if Canada's proposed abortion legislation is voted into law then everyone should be prepared to "defy the law". It would appear that both Ms. Thompson (who as part of the BC Task Force on Access to Contraception and Abortion urged Mr. Gabelmann to investigate alleged illegal activity of pro-lifers) and the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics are quite "selective" of their upholding and respect of the laws of the land!

Other literature issued by the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics state that "Contributions to the BCCAC are not tax-creditable due to the political nature of our work..."

A Newsletter issued by the Coalition and available at the Vancouver Public Library talk about its mandate as "fighting the anti-choice minority".

The "Basis of Unity" issued by the Coalition states: "The BCCAC seeks to accomplish its goals by continuing to build a broad based political movement which undertakes political action..."

So we ask the question: Is it appropriate for the "law-enforcement arm of government" to meet with an avowed political group to discuss ways of limiting their political opposition"...us?

What are we to think when we see:

• -The Assistant Deputy Attorney General for the Criminal Justice Branch, Ernie Quantz, Q.C., meet with representatives of an organization, the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics, that has, by their own admission, advocated, organized and executed illegal activity of a political nature in the province of British Colombia.
  
• -Boris Tyzuk of the Legal Services Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General meet with representatives of an organization, the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics that has, by their own admission, advocated, organized and executed illegal activity of a political nature in British Columbia.
  
• -Vancouver Crown Prosecutor, Lance Bernard, meet with representatives of an organization, the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics that has, by their own admission, advocated, organized and executed illegal activity of a political nature in British Colombia.
  
• -Others of the Attorney General's Ministry, namely Brian Neal, Bill Scigliano, Michael McEvoy and Joan Young met with representatives of an organization, the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics that has, by their own admission, advocated, organized and executed illegal activity of a political nature in British Columbia.
  

Are these secret, clandestine meetings giving the "...impression that the law-enforcement of the Government can be used to enforce a partisan political purpose?"

Mr. Gabelmann is already on record as refusing to meet with us to talk about our concerns regarding rising harassment of pro-life individuals in B.C. Instead he has allowed perception to became reality. Meeting with a political organization that has advocated breaking the law, told others to break the law and actually organized an event that has broken the law does not encourage those of us who hold different "political views"

It has, in the prophetic words of Mr. Owen in 1988, "sent a dangerous message to those who held a different view".

Pro-life groups throughout the Province of British Columbia are waiting to see what move will be made against us, either directly by this government, or indirectly, under the advice of members of the law enforcement arm of this government and initiated by the BC Coalition for Abortion Clinics.

The BC Ministry of Attorney General, make no mistake, by their actions have demolished the sense of fairness in regards to our justice system. I'd vote guilty!