As Status of Women Minister Rona Ambrose continues to catch heat for endorsing a controversial motion that calls for a review of "when life begins," an Alberta MLA says people shouldn't be so quick to judge.

Women's groups and opposition parties have been critical of Ambrose and the other ministers who supported Stephen Woodworth's abortion motion Wednesday night, that was defeated 203-91.

"I think (some) are seeing it only one way," MLA Mary Anne Jablonski said Thursday.

"But there are two ways of looking at this. Anyone who is proud of being a woman, and a woman's ability to make the choice or to give birth, doesn't see this necessarily as being a bad thing. "

Following the vote Wednesday night, Ambrose took to Twitter to offer up at least a partial explanation for why she supported the pro-life motion.

"I have repeatedly raised concerns about discrimination of girls by sex selection abortion," Ambrose tweeted Wednesday.

"No law needed, but we need awareness!"

Shortly after that, Ambrose reposted a tweet sent to her, in support of her decision to back the motion.

"Status of Women minister Rona Ambrose is courageous in voting for debate on human life's beginning."

Ambrose was among seven other sitting cabinet ministers, including Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and International Cooperation Minister Julian Fantino, who supported Woodworth's motion.

Two parliamentary secretaries also backed it, as did four Liberal MPs.

But Woodworth has vowed to continue his fight and says those who rejected his proposal are "preoccupied with abortion."

Woodworth says he has received thousands of letters from Canadians who have supported his bid to discuss evidence regarding whether a fetus is a human being prior to birth.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who voted against the proposal, promised in the 2011 election campaign to leave the abortion debate closed.

NDP leader Thomas Mulcair says it is clear Harper's words and actions do not match up.

"In a democracy, a political party approaches the Canadian voting public with an offer, and the offer of the Tories was not to pen the debate on abortion," Mulcair said. "They broke that promise. It's one thing when you look at backbenchers, but it's another thing when you have eight of your sitting ministers who are bound by the rule of cabinet solidarity."

Mulcair said he found Ambrose's decision very surprising considering her ministerial role.

Conservative MP Mark Warawa introduced a motion Thursday calling on the House to condemn discrimination against females occurring through "sex-selective pregnancy termination."

"Recent studies have shown that the practice of aborting females in favour of males is happening in Canada," said Warawa.

Meanwhile, the Federation des femmes du Quebec (FFQ) and the Federation of Quebec Planned Parenthood are calling on Ambrose to resign.