Cassandra Kaake's loved ones fight for new law to protect unborn babies

Proponents calling for Canadian laws to include punishment for harming an unborn baby are taking their fight to the doorsteps ofWindsor politicians.

The latest push comes in the lead up tothe anniversary of the death of Cassandra Kaake, who police say was slain last December at the age of 31. She was pregnant at the time.

Kaake's friends and family plan to take a petition to local MPs, asking them to recall Bill C-484, a private member's bill that failed to receive support before the 2008 federal election.

Leading the charge in the lobbying effort is the father of the unborn baby, Jeff Durham, who spoke to CBC Windsor Morning on Thursday.

"I want to hear that they support a law that would make it a crime for a violent criminal to harm an unborn baby," Durhamsaid. "It's ridiculous, it's insanity that something as simple as that cannot be made a law."

Kaake's body was found in the aftermath of a fire, one which police have said was intentionally set.Investigators said a post-mortem examination determined Kaake's death resulted from blood loss caused bysevere trauma.

ALaSalleman has since been charged with first-degree murder in connection withKaake'sdeath.

So far, about 15,000 people have signed a petition callingfor a law to specifically address the act of killing of an unborn child.

Despite the support, Durham has struggled to get political backing for the campaign. He used to have the ear of former Conservative MP Jeff Watson, but that disappeared after Watson lost his seat in the last federal election.

"So far, the only proclaimed support has come from members of the Conservative party, which is unfortunate because I think this is something that needs attention from all three major parties," Durham said."It's unfortunate that there's only really one who will take up the cause."

Getting support has been difficult, in large part, because changingthe law could have implications for abortion laws and women's rights issues. Durham finds this part of the public discussion frustrating.

"There's a difference between abortion and homicide," he said."Those are two words that we can clearly define and they're both separate and distinct."

Kaake'smother, Nancy, will joinDurham when they deliver copies of thepetitions to the NDP offices of CherylHardcastle, Brian Masse andTraceyRamsey.

Masse told CBC News on Thursday he has deep sympathy for Kaake's loved ones, buthe could not support revivingBill C-484.

"I can't agree to resurrect that bill because it was clear that the bill was not going to be able to pass through the parliamentary system and had significant legal issues and challenges with it that unfortunately don't make the bill something that's viable," he said.