ottawa –
The NDP is targeting the Conservatives on abortion by introducing a motion against what it calls “creep” of laws, petitions and threats aimed at reducing access to abortion.
Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party will use the next opposition voting day to force a debate and vote in the House of Commons on a motion calling for urgent action to improve access to abortion.
Singh said anti-choice Conservative MPs “often hold the decision-making power” in the official opposition party, and that leader Pierre Poièvre “has his own MPs introduce anti-choice laws and anti-choice motions.” ‘ he claimed.
“There is a real threat from the Conservative Party,” he told the media at a press conference in Montreal.
A spokesperson for Poièvre did not respond to a request for comment.
In a press release, the NDP cited the Conservative Party’s so-called “anti-choice” efforts, including a petition submitted by Conservative MPs earlier this year claiming that more than 98 per cent of abortions are “for social or pro-social reasons.” Here are some examples. It’s a personal matter. ”
Poilievre said at the time that he did not agree with the petition.
He has previously described himself as a “pro-choice” person and said if elected he would not pass legislation restricting reproductive choice.
“If I become prime minister, no laws or regulations will be enacted that restrict women’s reproductive choices. Of course,” Poièvre said in a June statement responding to the petition.
Conservative MP Cathy Wagantor introduced a private member’s bill last year to encourage judges to consider a victim’s pregnancy as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
The Canadian Abortion Rights Coalition urged MPs to vote against the bill on the grounds that it would promote fetal rights, even though the bill’s text makes no mention of fetal rights.
Liberal ministers have argued that the bill is an effort to restart the abortion debate in Canada.
Wagantor, who has made it clear that she opposes abortion, said Bill C-311 has nothing to do with abortion.
At the time, a spokesperson for Poièvre said he planned to vote in favor of the bill.
Speaking in Montreal on Thursday, Singh also criticized the ruling Liberal Party for not doing enough to improve access to abortion in Canada.
“This vote is very important, but it’s also important that the vote on this motion is not just about the Conservative threat, but the Liberals’ lack of action,” Singh said, adding that “access to abortion in Canada is It’s getting worse and it’s not good.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.
