Canada – A choice of options

It's time to talk about self-managed abortion care as a safe alternative in Canada — and the legal risks involved.

BY JULIANNE STEVENSON & JENNIFER TAYLOR
16 SEP 2021

The new Texas law that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy is obviously horrific. It also proves that legal protection for abortion — which we think of as relatively robust in Canada — is more fragile than it seems. But this tragic moment presents an opportunity to reframe our thinking around abortion. That is, we should think of abortion not just in relation to the law, but as something that can happen safely at home in appropriate circumstances, without direct medical supervision or state involvement.

Inspired by the work of scholars like Prof. Joanna Erdman, we believe self-managed abortion (SMA) needs to become a more mainstream part of the abortion conversation in Canada. As part of that conversation, it’s important to evaluate some of the legal risks involved — because, while the law shouldn’t always dictate how we think about abortion, we can’t ignore it either.

Continued: https://www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articles/law/opinion/2021/a-choice-of-options


USA – When a commitment to precedent rings hollow

The June Medical ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court illustrates how relying on stare decisis can only go so far in ensuring abortion access.

by Jennifer Taylor
3 Jul 2020

We often hear that we’re living in “unprecedented times.” What is not unprecedented is the precarious status of abortion access in the United States (and parts of Canada, too). While abortion rights seem slightly safer after the decision of the United States Supreme Court in June Medical Services LLC v Russo, this is a shaky victory.

If anything, June Medical proves that precedent is slippery — and political.

Continued: https://www.nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articles/law/opinion/2020/when-a-commitment-to-precedent-rings-hollow


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


Canada – Misleading billboard fuels false information about abortion

Misleading billboard fuels false information about abortion
Research lawyer Jennifer Taylor was “fired up and frustrated” when she saw the sign on Windmill Road.

Posted By Maggie Rahr
Fri, Aug 10, 2018

A Dartmouth billboard reading ‘Canada has no abortion laws’ is turning heads and raising ire.

The sign on Windmill Road is rented on a four-week contract and paid for by We Need A Law—a religious advocacy group based in Vancouver and Ottawa.

Continued: https://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/archives/2018/08/10/misleading-billboard-fuels-false-information-about-abortion