A former Tory MP who says he left the party because of his “beliefs” claims the number of Tory MPs who are anti-abortion is growing and that anti-abortion activists have influence within the party structure. .
Richmond-Altabasca state Rep. Alan Reyes made the comments in a new documentary.La Pour aux Ventresdirected by Quebec filmmaker Léa Clermont-Dion, depicts the anti-abortion movement in Canada following the reversal of Roe v. Wade in the United States.
“I left the Conservative Party because of my values and beliefs,” he said in French. “What I’ve noticed is that the number of pro-life legislators within the organization is increasing.”
Mr. Reyes is an independent. He left the Conservative Party caucus shortly after Pierre Poièvre was elected leader.
In the 2022 leadership election, he supported his rival, former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Charest, against Poièvre.
Poièvre said that if he were elected prime minister, the government would not support any legislation regulating abortion.
“As a party, policy bookThe bill, adopted by members of the party, follows the long-standing assertion that “Conservative governments do not support any legislation regulating abortion,” Poièvre’s spokesperson Sebastian Skamski said in a media statement.
“If Canadians elect Pierre Poièvre as prime minister, no laws or regulations will be enacted that restrict women’s reproductive choices.”
Reyes told Clermont-Dion that the party’s position on abortion is “in some ways interesting.”
“If you ask the leaders, they will say they support their choice,” Reyes said. “They will affirm it to appease those who have strong feelings who are trying to attack the Conservative Party.
“But that’s not the problem. The problem is that there are very powerful groups within the organization, members who attend conventions and influence policy.”
He said these MPs have put the party in a position where it has had to publicly reject calls to legislate abortion while giving space to those in the party who are passionate about restricting abortion. He said there is.
He said that even if party leaders don’t attend anti-abortion rallies in Parliament House, Conservative MPs often do.
Reyes, who is not seeking re-election, did not respond to a request for comment from CBC News or say what he meant when he said the number of Conservative MPs who oppose abortion is increasing.
Mr Poilievre faced questions about his party’s position on abortion in June, with Conservative MP Arnold Vielssen saying on a podcast: He wants protection for “children born before he was born.”. ”
Despite Mr. Poièvre’s pledge to leave Canada’s abortion policy as it is, the Liberals and NDP have long sought to use reproductive rights as a wedge issue.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Thursday used the upcoming opposition day to launch a motion calling for action to improve access to abortion and “stop the creeping anti-choice bills, petitions and intimidation in Canada.” It was announced that a debate and vote would be held.
This day is expected to be the only day the NDP opposes the bill in the lower house of parliament.
Speaking in Montreal, Singh said she met with Clermont-Dion to discuss her documentary and mentioned Reyes’ comments.
“In the Conservative Party, the anti-choice crowd often makes decisions. They have a huge voice within the party,” he said. “There is a real threat from the Conservative Party.”
National Democratic Party cited a recent petition. This group was sponsored by Viersen (which has no legal significance), which called for restrictions on access to abortion.
The party also proposed a private member’s bill in 2023 that would require judges to consider physical or psychological harm to pregnant victims as an aggravating factor during sentencing, although it does not directly mention abortion. Also mentioned. the bill I lost.
