OTTAWA, March 29 (UPI) -- Conservative Canadian Parliament Member Mark Warawa has lost an appeal to debate a motion banning sex-selective abortion in the House of Commons.
The Committee on Procedure and House Affairs has upheld a decision by its subcommittee that Warawa's motion isn't eligible for discussion in the House of Commons, CBC reported Thursday.
Warawa has five sitting days to appeal the committee's decision but as the House of Commons heads out for a two-week break next week, his appeal deadline is April 19. The Langley, British Columbia, representative said he will announce April 15 whether he wants to appeal the decision.
"My grandmother says 'haste makes waste.' I do not want to make another rash, quick, kneejerk decision today," Warawa said. "My conscience is my guide but I also am proud to be a member of the Conservative caucus."
Conservative Parliament members say the decision to bar Warawa from discussing his motion breaches his right as a member of Parliament to speak on behalf of his constituency.
However, New Democrat House Leader Nathan Cullen said the House of Commons won't discuss motions that limit women's rights.
"We are clear in our convictions and present ourselves unapologetically and unambiguously to Canadians in that way each and every election. But whether one agrees or disagrees with the member for Langley [Warawa] is not at issue here," Cullen said.
