A new Environics poll indicates young Canadians are looking for legal changes to protect the unborn. 54% of 18-29 year olds said the law should protect life from either conception (29%) or three months gestation (25%). Current Canadian law provides no protection until birth. Most abortions, however, take place before 20 weeks.

"Youth, women and Atlantic residents are more eager for legal changes than other Canadians," commented Peter Ryan of NB Right to Life. "But overall only a third of our citizens favor the status quo - no fetal protection at all."

The poll of 2,047 Canadians, conducted in September and October for the pro-life group LifeCanada, has a margin of errror of +/- 2.2% 19 times out of 20.

"The poll pierces some myths," says Peter Ryan of NB Right to Life. "The young are not as permissive on abortion as commonly thought."

The poll found 55% of women, and 56% of Atlantic Canadians, said the law should protect fetal life at least from three months on. The overall national figure was 51%.

On another question 64% of Canadians, and 68% of young adults, said abortions should not be publicly paid for, other than for medical emergencies. 66% of Atlantic residents agreed. Most provinces pay for all abortions.

The biggest consensus for legal change was for making it an added crime to kill or injure a fetus during a violent attack upon its mother. 79% of youth (72% of Canadians) agreed with such a law. There have been at least five pregnant women killed during the past three years. The most recent was 25 year old Aysun Sesen of Toronto, killed by her boyfriend in her 7^th month of pregnancy. "Families lose two members in such cases," said Ryan. "The law should recognize that."

"Young people, and the public at large, want legal change," stated Ryan. "People are not indifferent to babies in the womb."

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