Canada – Poilievre vows not to pass abortion restrictions if elected prime minister

By Craig Lord The Canadian Press
April 11, 2025

A Conservative government would not pass any laws to restrict access to abortion, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday during a campaign stop in southern Ontario.

“There will be no laws or other restrictions imposed on a woman’s right to decide to do with her body as she wishes,” he said. “And that is something that I am guaranteeing to you and to all Canadians.”

Poilievre said it has been the Conservative party’s policy for 21 years that there will be no restrictions introduced on a woman’s right to choose.

Continued: https://globalnews.ca/news/11127562/canada-election-poilievre-abortion/

11.04.2025

Canadian-born gynecologist plans to return to Canada after raising concerns Trump is dismantling U.S. health care

Kristy Kirkup, Globe and Mail
April 8, 2025

She is seen as an online rock star in the realm of women’s health, and now Dr. Jen Gunter says she is planning to leave the United States and move back home to Canada amid rising tensions around reproductive rights.

The best-selling author and gynecologist shared an interview on her Instagram account on Tuesday that she conducted with her hometown paper, the Winnipeg Free Press, on her plans.

Continued: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-gynecologist-dr-jen-gunter-plans-to-return-to-canada-after-raising/

08.04.2025

How will Canada lead on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the era of Trump?

Barely two months into his Presidency, Donald Trump has devastated global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

by Jacqueline Potvin
March 21, 2025

On January 24, Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy (the “global gag rule,”) which restricts US global health funding from going to any non-government organization that provides abortion services, advocacy, or information.

This reinstatement will harm women and people who can become pregnant, limiting their access to important healthcare information and services. Its effects will be exacerbated by wide-sweeping cuts to US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding and staff. These moves come at a time when Canada’s own commitments to global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), which have recently been strong, may be at risk.

Continued: https://rabble.ca/human-rights/how-will-canada-lead-on-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-in-the-era-of-trump/

Abortion Rights Issue Surfaces in Canada Before U.S. Election

The Canadian government proposed legislation this week to crack down on anti-abortion organizations that provide “dishonest counseling” to pregnant women.

By Vjosa Isai
Nov. 2, 2024

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the House of Commons this week regarding abortion rights, he also had a message for his daughter, who was seated in the gallery.

“I want her to hear me as long as everyone else does,” Mr. Trudeau said. “This government is unequivocally pro-choice. We will always defend a woman’s right to choose.”

Mr. Trudeau’s Liberal Party on Tuesday revisited a 2021 campaign promise to penalize anti-abortion organizations that it said provided “dishonest counseling” to pregnant women.

Unlocked: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/02/world/canada/abortion-rights-canada-election.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XE4.jBsD.xtVibwEEkzuf&smid=url-share

Canada – Liberals take ‘softer approach’ on pledge to revoke charity status for pregnancy counselling

Trudeau had promised to 'no longer provide charity status to anti-abortion organizations' that offer 'dishonest counselling to women'

Stephanie Taylor, National Post
Nov 01, 2024

OTTAWA — Federal New Democrats are criticizing the Liberals’ plan to allow charities offering pregnancy counselling to keep their tax status if they advertise how their services exclude abortion — a move that differs from what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had promised during the last federal election.

In 2021, Trudeau ran on a platform that included a promise to “no longer provide charity status to anti-abortion organizations” that provide “dishonest counselling to women” about their pregnancy options.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/liberals-take-softer-approach-pledge-revoking-charity-status-pregnancy-counselling

Canada – Trudeau government not planning to legislate further protection for abortion rights, health minister says

May 21, 2024
By Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa Bureau Chief

OTTAWA — Despite warning of looming threats to abortion rights in Canada, the Trudeau government does not plan to enshrine legislative protections of a woman’s right to choose to end an unwanted pregnancy, says Health Minister Mark Holland.

Although the 2021 Liberal platform promised regulations to ensure accessibility to “publicly available sexual and reproductive health services,” Holland said his priority is to work with the provinces, which are responsible for health care, so that abortion services are expanded.

Continued: https://www.thestar.com/politics/trudeau-government-not-planning-to-legislate-further-protection-for-abortion-rights-health-minister-says/article_f213d5e2-17ac-11ef-9e45-7fa4b3c84b1f.html

21.05.2024

Soraya Martinez Ferrada

France adds abortion rights to the constitution. Could it happen in Canada?

France's upgrading of abortion rights is a bold political message in a world that is increasingly veering to the far right.

By Allan Woods, Staff Reporter
Monday, March 4, 2024

PARIS—However linked the two countries' histories, however shared their values, it is difficult to imagine Canada following in France's footsteps to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution.

French lawmakers did that Monday in a historic vote at Château de Versailles that puts the ability to end a pregnancy right up there with the country’s famous motto: "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité."

Continued: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/france-adds-abortion-rights-to-the-constitution-could-it-happen-in-canada/article_04bc5ff0-da42-11ee-959b-e3b780f9717f.html

Canada – Deal on pharmacare bill has been reached with Liberals ahead of March deadline, NDP says

The legislation is a critical piece of the supply-and-confidence pact between the two parties, in which the NDP agreed to support the Liberals on key votes in the Commons

The Canadian Press
Mickey Djuric, Laura Osman and Mia Rabson
Feb 23, 2024

The federal Liberals and New Democrats have reached a deal that would allow every Canadian with a health card to access free diabetes medication and birth control, the NDP confirmed Friday.

The coverage is to be included in the first piece of a national pharmacare program, with legislation expected to be introduced in the House of Commons next week.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/pharmacare-deal-reached-liberals-ndp

23.02.2024

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Canada – Right-wing extremism is connected to being anti-choice – but we can win on abortion rights

As we see the growing restriction of abortion in the US, it is important that we remain vigilant of a growing anti-choice movement on the right.

by Joyce Arthur, rabble.ca
February 8, 2024

Canada has done well without any abortion law or restrictions since 1988, leaving abortion care under the same medical regulations as other healthcare. Indeed, abortion care follows the same pattern around the world regardless of law – people who want abortions have them as early as possible, while a small number of later abortions will always be needed for compelling social or medical reasons. Laws trying to regulate abortion are redundant and restrictions are harmful.

Abroad, Canada has a reputation as a socially liberal western democracy that guarantees reproductive rights and minority rights such as for gender expansive people. The Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a self-declared feminist foreign policy and has often spoken out in favour of abortion rights.

Continued: https://rabble.ca/health/right-wing-extremism-is-connected-to-being-anti-choice-but-we-can-win-on-abortion-rights/

Canada – ‘They will be refused care’: Inside an American ally’s decision to warn citizens about the US

Abortion rulings and anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the States moved Ottawa to alert Canadians about travel risks.

By ZI-ANN LUM
Dec 24, 2023

OTTAWA — It was a polite Canadian warning from a close friend and neighbor. But Canada’s updated travel advisory to its citizens, counseling them to be careful about traveling to the United States, set off an international furor last summer.

The message renewed attention over the rightward shift in state-level policies governing abortion and the rights of LGBTQ+ people — a trend that has stirred deep concern in Canada, especially after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Continued: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/24/canada-us-travel-advisory-00132936

24.12.2023