This U.S.-based ‘hate group’ is using a shadowy network of lawyers and doctors to infiltrate Canada

The Alliance Defending Freedom has deep and surprising connections in Ottawa

By Kevin Maimann
August 9, 2023

A right-wing Christian organization behind successful efforts to roll back LGBTQ2S+ and abortion rights in the U.S. has been working in Canada for years. And while it has racked up some “successes” in this country, it’s near impossible to tell what the group is up to because of Canada’s lax finance laws, leading to calls for greater transparency.

The non-profit Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has been a central player in efforts to limit the rights of women, queer and trans people in the U.S. since the 1990s. The organization has been so pervasive and effective in its campaigns to malign LGBTQ2S+ people that it was classified as a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The ADF has intervened in numerous high-profile court cases including the recent Supreme Court case 303 Creative, which limited the purview of anti-discrimination legislation, and Dobbs earlier this year, which overturned the right to abortion in the U.S. The ADF is on a roll, with no sign of slowing down. The Guardian reported in June the ADF plans to use “model legislation” and lawsuits to overturn same-sex marriage, enact a total abortion ban and strip away trans rights in the U.S.

Continued: https://xtramagazine.com/power/politics/alliance-defending-freedom-adf-hate-group-canada-gerald-chipeur-255467

Canada – Conservative MP Calls on Leadership Candidates to Consider ‘Legal Restrictions’ on Abortion

Arnold Viersen circulates petition calling on Conservative leadership candidates to take a position on laws restricting abortions

by Mitchell Thompson, Ontario Reporter
March 18, 2022

One of Canada’s federal Conservative MPs is calling on the party’s leadership candidates to take a position on whether or not they support “legal restrictions” to criminalize abortion.

Arnold Viersen, the Conservative MP for Peace River–Westlock, included the demand in a petition to constituents posted on his website.

Continued: https://pressprogress.ca/conservative-mp-calls-on-leadership-candidates-to-consider-legal-restrictions-on-abortion/

18.03.2022

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Canada – No, For Real: Is Abortion Actually An Election Issue?

Courtney Shea
Sept 17, 2021

If you caught any of the leaders debates, you may have seen Justin Trudeau call out Erin O’Toole for his lack of support for abortion. The Libs, along with numerous reproductive rights organizations, have questioned whether the Conservative Party of Canada leader’s recent “pro-choice” proclamations are legit. On the flip side, critics of the current PM say this particular abortion conversation is a giant nothing burger, and wonder why Trudeau only wants to talk about the right to choose during election cycles. Given everything going on in Texas (where they effectively banned abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy), it’s no wonder that Canadian voters are feeling anxious (and confused) in the lead up to the election.

Continued: https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/2021/09/10660266/why-is-abortion-a-federal-election-debate

Canada – Erin O’Toole’s abortion stance serves neither physicians nor women

August 30, 2021
the Conversation

Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole recently found himself at the centre of the abortion debate as he hit the campaign trail in advance of the federal election on Sept. 20.

The controversy arose when he stated he was pro-choice while simultaneously claiming that he supported the rights of physicians to deny abortions on the basis of conscience.

Continued: https://theconversation.com/erin-otooles-abortion-stance-serves-neither-physicians-nor-women-166728

30.08.2021

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Canada – I’m pro-choice,’ O’Toole says as abortion issue emerges on the campaign trail

The Liberals are raising questions about 'conscience rights' in the Conservative platform

John Paul Tasker · CBC News
Posted: Aug 19, 2021

Pushing back against Liberal claims that he's just "pretending" to support a woman's right to choose, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said today he's pro-choice and a government led by him would make sure abortion services are available nationwide.

O'Toole has been clear that women should be allowed to safely end pregnancies — a position that has drawn the ire of some socially conservative members of his party. His predecessor, Andrew Scheer, described himself as "pro life."

Continued: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/erin-otoole-pro-choice-conscience-rights-1.6146200

Anti-Abortion Groups Quietly Installed Activists Into Top Positions Inside the Conservative Party of Canada

Nearly 40% of the Conservative Party of Canada's newly elected National Council members were endorsed by anti-abortion groups

by PressProgress
March 22, 2021

Anti-abortion groups are declaring victory after securing at least seven of 18 top spots on the Conservative Party of Canada’s powerful National Council.

The National Council has powers set-out in the Conservative Party’s constitution controlling the party’s budget, creating party bylaws and, importantly, setting rules for local nomination races and candidate selection.

Continued: https://pressprogress.ca/anti-abortion-groups-quietly-installed-activists-into-top-positions-inside-the-conservative-party-of-canada/

Canada – Abortion issue is off the table as Conservatives launch pre-election policy convention

'I think our voice is being suppressed,' says spokesperson for anti-abortion group Campaign Life Coalition

John Paul Tasker · CBC News
Posted: Mar 18, 2021

Conservative party delegates from across the country begin a three-day virtual policy convention today — likely their last before the next federal election. But some of the most contentious social issues won't be up for debate.

A larger list of policy proposals was narrowed down by electoral district associations (EDAs) to a relatively concise 23-page booklet earlier this month.

Continued: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-policy-convention-abortion-1.5954129

A social conservative group plans to force the Conservative party to change its position on abortion. Here’s how

By Alex Boutilier, The Star, Ottawa Bureau
Mon., March 8, 2021

OTTAWA—An anti-abortion group is planning an end-run around federal Conservative brass to force a vote on the party’s abortion stance.

In an email to supporters, Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) — an influential social conservative group — said it hoped to push the party to abandon its pledge that a Conservative government would not support a law regulating access to abortion.

Continued: https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2021/03/08/a-social-conservative-group-plans-to-force-the-conservative-party-to-change-its-position-on-abortion-heres-how.html

08.03.2021

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Canada – Abortion is constitutional right and, unfortunately, an election issue

Abortion is constitutional right and, unfortunately, an election issue

Jennifer Taylor argues Canadians can’t trust the Tory leader on his promise to avert the anti-abortion movement
Abortion is constitutional right and, unfortunately, an election issue

By Jennifer Taylor
OPINION 23 Sep 2019

It’s been 50 years since abortion was partly decriminalized in Canada, and 31 years since R v Morgentaler, the Supreme Court of Canada decision that struck down the remaining Criminal Code restrictions. Surely, in 2019, Canadians have accepted that there is a constitutional right to abortion access in this country, and abortion is a publicly funded health care service – not a subject for debate. We’ve moved on. Right?

Unfortunately, not.

Continued: https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion/abortion-is-constitutional-right-and-unfortunately-an-election-issue/304370

Leader of Canada’s opposition party distances self from anti-abortion comment

Leader of Canada's opposition party distances self from anti-abortion comment

September 12, 2019
David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The leader of Canada’s main opposition Conservative Party on Thursday distanced himself from comments by a candidate opposing abortion, which could hurt his chances with women voters in an Oct. 21 election.

Andrew Scheer, trying to defeat Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, insisted he had no plans to reopen the abortion debate if he won the election.

Continued: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-election-scheer/leader-of-canadas-opposition-party-distances-self-from-anti-abortion-comment-idUSKCN1VX231

12.09.2019