Metadata

The Canadian Association for the Repeal of the Abortion Laws (CARAL) was founded in November 1974 by pro-choice activists. Founding members included Norma Scarborough, June Callword, Kay Macpherson, Lorna Grant, Eleanor Wright Pelrine, Esther Greenglass,  and Henry Morgentaler. CARAL changed its name to the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League in 1980.

CARAL played a leading role in the fight for women’s right to a safe, legal abortion and better access to birth control. It developed widespread support for challenging the 1969 abortion law which allowed abortions only with the approval of a hospital Therapeutic Abortion Committee.  Actions included demonstrations,  public meetings, lobbying the government, and letter-writing campaigns. CARAL also backed Dr. Henry Morgentaler’s  legal challenges to the abortion law. CARAL stopped operating  in 2004.

The Childbirth by Choice Trust, founded in 1982, was the research and education arm of CARAL.

Canadian Abortion Rights Action League (CARAL) / L’Association canadienne pour le droits à l’avortement (ACDA) Documents

	Title	Date	Region
	Answers to Anti-Choice Arguments	--	National (all of Canada)
	CARAL – Abortion in Law and History Pamphlet	--	National (all of Canada)
	CARAL – Freedom of Choice Action Week Flyers	1981	National (all of Canada)
	CARAL – Freedom of Choice Pamphlet	--	National (all of Canada)
	CARAL – Fundraising Letter to Supporters	1987	National (all of Canada)
	CARAL – Parliamentary Brief on the Constitution	1980	National (all of Canada)
	CARAL Founding Meeting (1974): Press Release	1974	National (all of Canada)
	CARAL Interim Constitution & By-laws (September 1974)	1974	National (all of Canada)
	Cross Canada Conference for Abortion Law Repeal	1973	National (all of Canada)
	Information for Teens about Abortion	--	National (all of Canada)
	Reproductive Rights: Responses to Common Misunderstandings	--	National (all of Canada)