The Conservative Party of Canada has made their position against abortion extremely clear. They want it banned from use in maternal and newborn health initiatives in any country that receives Canadian aid. This announcement has fueled discussion around reproductive rights in Canada. It encourages the party to reevaluate its overall political strategy heading into the 2024 elections.
Enshrining conscience rights for healthcare workers is a priority for the Conservative Party. They favor more rights for doctors and nurses. These healthcare professionals are allowed to deny performing abortions or referring patients to those services according to their own personal beliefs. This position has been a hallmark of the party’s commitment to individual liberty and freedom within the confines of the party’s healthcare monolith.
The Conservative Party has made a highly ambitious pledge. Their campaign platform – electoral, primary, whatever – would include a plank opposing any and all legislation to regulate abortion. This declaration is in line with their track record. They helped pass a bill to criminalize sex-selective abortions, arguing that it is necessary to combat gender discrimination. The party’s MP, Cathay Wagantall, previously introduced a bill in 2020 focused on this issue, further illustrating the party’s ongoing commitment to addressing perceived injustices in reproductive choices.
Conservative MP Arnold Viersen recently kicked off the petition in the House Commons. With this effort, he is pushing the federal government to legislate protections for fetal rights, further igniting the abortion debate fire in Canada. Pierre Poilievre, a major conservative figure these days, had to defend himself for voting against a bill prohibiting access to abortions after 20 weeks as a Conservative backbencher. He did vote for legislation that would have banned sex-selective abortions.
The Liberal Party makes no bones about it and lays out its strong support for women’s right to choose. The party is especially vehement against any backdoor efforts to criminalize abortion. Their communications tie access to reproductive healthcare into the American values framework. The Bloc Québécois is very proud to defend women’s rights. The New Democratic Party (NDP) vigorously champions these rights within civil society. They have further objected to any efforts seen as encroaching upon these rights.
As party leaders fight for traction against one another here on the ground, abortion is still rooted as a burn point in Canadian politics. The Conservative Party’s strategy to highlight conscience rights and fetal protection has sparked significant reactions from rival parties, each staunchly defending their stance on reproductive rights.
