(OTTAWA) Members of the Conservative caucus received an email Tuesday telling them not to comment on the leak of a US Supreme Court document on abortion rights. A majority of judges intend to overturn Roe v. Wade who has protected this right south of the border since 1973.
Posted at 11:49
“Conservatives will not comment on leaked draft decision by the United States Supreme Court,” reads an email sent to Conservative Party of Canada MPs and senators obtained by The Press.
The abortion issue has divided conservatives for a long time. Of the six candidates running for the leadership of the party, only Leslyn Lewis is opposed to abortion.
She also enjoys the enthusiastic support of the Campaign Life Coalition, which gives her an “A” for the leadership race.
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Leslyn Lewis
“Opposes all abortions. Believes in the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death, without exceptions. Frank and determined on the issues [antiavortement] “, is it written in the bulletin published on the website of the organization.
In the last Conservative leadership race, relatively unknown Leslyn Lewis caused a surprise by coming in third. The redistribution of his support contributed to Erin O’Toole’s victory.
A ruling by the United States Supreme Court to take away the right to abortion could galvanize groups against this medical procedure that gravitate around the Conservative Party.
Still, the leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, does not fear the repercussions in Canada. “Yes, it’s true that decisions in the United States can encourage people in Canada, but it’s not a majority,” he said. It is clear that in Canada, the law is strong, the vast majority of Canadians support this right, so it is really clear that the right is protected. »
However, access to abortion remains difficult in some parts of the country. “We have to remain vigilant,” he added. He believes that the federal government could use the Canada Health Act to finance this service in the provinces where it is not very accessible.
Bloc Québécois deputy leader Christine Normandin will table a motion Tuesday afternoon for the House of Commons “reiterates that the woman’s body belongs to her alone and recognizes her free choice in matters of abortion, to any reason.”
All MPs had applauded a similar motion in 2019 except the Conservatives who remained unmoved. The Supreme Court of Canada decriminalized the right to abortion in 1988.