June 1, 2004
Conservative Health Critic Confirms That Abortion Issue is a Matter of Provincial Jurisdiction.

Conservative Health Critic Mr. Rob Merrifield said yesterday that the funding of abortion is a matter of provincial jurisdiction.

Mary Ellen Douglas, Ontario President of Campaign Life Coalition(CLC) said, “I am happy to see that the Conservatives recognize that abortion funding is a provincial issue. We have been telling our provincial politicians that for years, but they keep insisting that the issue is federal.”

Peter Ryan of Campaign Life Coalition New Brunswick said, “In the province of New Brunswick there is no funding for private clinics and Morgentaler has been fighting that. The case in New Brunswick suggests that provinces MUST fund abortions. I call on the federal politicians to make it clear that, under the Canada health Act, it is absolutely up to the provincial government whether or not to fund abortions.”

Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition said, “Of course, funding is an important issue, but what we really need is for the federal government to exercise its responsibilities and define the rights of the unborn and correct the legal anomaly that has existed since 1988 when the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the old abortion law on a technicality.”

Media Contacts:
Mary Ellen Douglas, National Organizer, CLC Kingston 613-389-4472
Peter Ryan, President of CLC New Brunswick, 506-454-2084

Campaign Life Coalition is Canada's national pro-life organization.