Update: A list of how each MP voted is at the bottom of this article. You are encouraged to follow-up with your MP with either a thank-you note or a question of how they can justify voting agaist it.

Just minutes ago, Bill C-510, which proposed to make it a crime to coerce a woman to have an abortion, was defeated in the House of Commons by a vote of 97 to 178. The bill was introduced by MP Rod Bruinooge and named after Roxanne Fernando (on right), who was killed by her boyfriend because she refused to abort her child.

The vote means that this bill has died and won't be proceeding to committee for futher study.

Most members of the opposition parties, along with many Conservatives, voted against it. Prime Minister Harper and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson also voted against it.

This news will come as a disappointment to many as the bill was a common-sense measure that should have had the support of both pro-life and pro-choice MP's alike. But once again our government gave a clear signal that it wants to continue to be the only country in the Western world that prefers to close its eyes, plug its ears, and clamps its mouth when it comes to any law that even mentions abortion.

"What kind of leaders refuse to protect pregnant women who want to keep their child?" commented ARPA Canada's director Mark Penninga. "We need to ask the MP's who voted against it how exactly they can justify their vote, especially given that all of the arguments raised in the House against it were answered in detail."

ARPA supporters from across the country have played a huge role in advocating for this legislation throughout the entire year. Over 500 letters have been sent to our MP's on C-510 through Easy Mail alone, in addition to visits that have been made both in Ottawa and in local constituencies.

"By no means was this bill a lost effort" stated Penninga. '"It was invaluable because it got our MP's, the public, and the mainstream media talking about an issue that has been hidden for far too long. To add to this, it served as a catalyst for getting the pro-life community to work together towards a common goal, something that has been sadly lacking for years. We hope this will be a stepping stone for more legislative efforts."

ARPA Canada would like to commend MP Rod Bruinooge for his dedication to the pro-life cause and his fervent efforts with this bill. We also commend the organizations Campaign Life, My Canada, and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada who worked so hard to build support for this. A special thanks goes to our readers who really picked up the ball on this. There is no doubt that our MP's heard from us.

We look forward to seeing more MP's bravely step up to introduce legislation that pertains to the value of the unborn. They need our encouragement and support.

Action Item: A list of how each MP voted will be linked to on the ARPA website when it becomes available. Readers are encouraged to thank their MP if they voted in support of C-510, and follow-up with MP's who voted against it, asking how they can justify this position in light of the points available here.

Related: An Inside Scoop on Monday's Bill C-510 Debate

How Each MP Voted on C-510 (first Yeas and then Nays)

YEAS

Members

Total: -- 97

NAYS

Members

Total: -- 178