Motion 312 Explained

Motion 312 was a motion introduced to the Parliament of Canada by Stephen Woodworth, MP for Kitchener Centre, in 2012.

M-312 called for the formation of a committee "to review the declaration in Subsection 223(1) of the Criminal Code which states that a child becomes a human being only at the moment of complete birth".^[1]

Reception

Support

Groups opposing legal abortion, such as the Campaign Life Coalition, supported Motion 312.

Opposition

Groups supporting legal abortion, such as the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, opposed Motion 312.

Numerous labour unions in Canada opposed Motion 312. This includes the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)^[2] and the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU).^[3]

Results

Motion 312 was defeated with a vote of 203–91 against.^[4]

Choice	width=15%		width=15%		width=15%		width=15%		width=15%		width=12%		Total
	Conservative	NDP	Liberal		Green	Independent
Nays	74	96	28	3	1	1	203
Yeas	86	0	4	0	0	1	91
Did Not Vote	2	4	3	1	0	0	10
Grand total	162	100	35	4	1	2	305

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vote No. 466. House of Commons Chamber Business. Parliament of Canada. 11 November 2012.
2. Web site: Women's rights upheld, M312 defeated . . 2012-10-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121212172436/http://cupe.ca/women/victory-womens-rights-upheld-m312 . 2012-12-12 . dead .
3. Web site: Rally: Stand up for women's right to choose - Oppose Motion M-312 . . 2012-10-02.
4. Web site: Motion 312: How MPs And Ministers Voted . The Huffington Post Canada . 2012-10-02.