Editor’s Note: The Interim’s Paul Tuns interviewed Maria Slykerman after she retired as head of CLC Manitoba on Dec. 31, 2025.
Paul Tuns: How did you become involved in the pro-life movement and Campaign Life Coalition?
Maria Slykerman: My husband Niel and I were always pro-life, but we became involved with the pro-life movement in 1989. At that time someone asked us to get involved in Operation Rescue at The Morgentaler Clinic in Winnipeg. Pro-lifers would simply prevent the clinic from opening for business by blocking the entrance to the clinic. This eventually put us in jail for one day but we got a taste of how to get involved instead of just sitting on the sidelines. We were always involved in the church and our parish priest always wished to have a pro-life organization in the parish and we were asked to make this happen. We conducted prayer groups and wrote letters to parliamentarians and organizations in connection with matters that affected the traditional family. A local pro-life organization known as League for Life needed a vice president and Niel couldn’t say no. We were motivated to help Joseph Borowski with his pro-life endeavours. When Joe died on Sept. 24,1996, Jim Hughes, who was then president of Campaign Life Coalition Canada, was a pallbearer at Joe’s funeral. He asked Niel to lead CLC MB, and Niel agreed, and again I was at his right hand.
PT: You succeeded your late husband, Niel, as head of CLC Manitoba in 2000. Why did you replace him and did you ever expect that you would hold a leadership position in the pro-life movement.
MS: Niel died on Sept. 26, 2000. Jim Hughes again was in Winnipeg to be a pallbearer on that terrible day and he had the audacity to ask me to take over from my husband and lead CLC MB. I felt very inadequate but how can you say no to Jim Hughes. If I had known that saying yes to Jim would take me to a leadership position in the pro-life movement, I probably would have declined his proposition.
PT: What are some of the highlights of a quarter century leading CLC Manitoba?
MS: Currently, Manitoba is the only province that specifically protects the conscience rights of physicians.
To lead 40 Days for Life and be a channel in saving four babies that we know of but there could be many more that we are not aware of.
It was great to work with so many organizations and supporters.
PT: What were some of the challenges opposing abortion in Manitoba over the years?
MS: The biggest challenge was to get young people involved. Also, the introduction of the Bubble zone around the Health Sciences Centre here in Winnipeg.
PT: How has the situation in Canada, and specifically Manitoba, changed during your 25 years leading CLC Manitoba?
MS: The situation went from bad to worse. The number of abortions has increased over the years especially with the introduction of the abortion pill. Donations have gone down. A lot of our volunteers have gotten older, many have passed away. We need the younger generations to step up but they just don’t seem to want to get involved.
PT: What do you plan to do now that you are retired?
MS: We are still leading 40 Days for Life and the annual Life Chain – I will always be pro-life. I will continue to do this until I am no longer capable.
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