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Legalizing contraceptives

Broadcast Date: June 16, 1969

In June 1969, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his Liberal government legalize all forms of contraception. Canadians such as Aileen Hall, director of the Planned Parenthood Association in Toronto, says it is long overdue. Hall tells CBC's Barbara Frum that the change will make it easier for organizations like hers to counsel women. Even the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops states it will not oppose the amendment.

But, like the Pope, there are Canadians such as Liberal MP Ralph Cowan who resist the change. A devout Catholic, Cowan is against birth control and advocates self-restraint as the only moral choice. Almost a decade after the birth control pill first appeared on the Canadian market, it continues to spark debate.

Legalizing contraceptives

• Twenty years after his interview with Barbara Frum, Liberal MP Ralph Cowan told the CBC's Eve Savory that he still objected to use of the birth control pill.
• In 1997 Pope John Paul II reaffirmed the Catholic Church's opposition to artificial contraception.
• Mother Teresa declared in 1993 that all contraceptives were inherently selfish.

• Section 179c of the old Criminal Code had stated: "Everyone commits an offence who offers to sell, advertise… instructions, medications, drug or article intended or represented as a method preventing conception…"

Legalizing contraceptives

Medium: Television

Program: The Day It Is

Broadcast Date: June 16, 1969

Guest(s): Ralph Cowan, Aileen Hall, Mary Sue McCarthy

Host: Barbara Frum

Duration: 14:59

Last updated:
Oct. 6, 2003