A well-known abortion rights activist is raising concerns about access and the future of the debate here in Canada after Alabama鈥檚 Republican governor stoked controversy south of the border by signing strict legislation that would make abortions illegal in nearly all cases, including rape and incest.
On Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill that would make performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by 10 to 99 years or life in prison, with the only exception being for cases when a woman鈥檚 life is in danger. The ban would go into effect in six months if it鈥檚 not legally challenged 鈥� something abortion rights advocates have already vowed to do.
As women across the U.S. took to the streets and social media to voice their opposition to the legislation this week, Carolyn Egan of the Ontario Coalition of Abortion Clinics, says the debate is far from over in Canada.
Although abortion has been legally unrestricted in Canada since 1988, Egan said there are many women who still don鈥檛 have adequate access to the procedure because of a shortage of hospitals and clinics offering the service.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 most difficult in rural areas, areas outside of the major cities,鈥� she told CTV鈥檚 Your Morning on Thursday. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e in Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal you have reasonable access, but if you go beyond that, it鈥檚 a real problem.鈥�
For example, in the entire province of New Brunswick, Egan said there is only one abortion clinic located in Fredericton and it isn鈥檛 funded through a provincial healthcare plan, which means women have to pay for the procedure out of pocket.
鈥淭hese areas are really, really underserved,鈥� she said.
In terms of the debate itself, Egan said she鈥檚 concerned that support for banning abortion in the U.S. will embolden those with the same views in Canada.
鈥淲e hope not, but we鈥檙e always very fearful,鈥� she said. 鈥淐omments like that and what just did happen in Alabama, unfortunately, give confidence to those who want to deny women access to abortion.鈥�
Just last week, Ontario MPP Sam Oosterhoff pledged to make abortion 鈥渦nthinkable鈥� during an anti-abortion rally in Toronto.
Even though conservative politicians including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer have vowed not to re-open the debate, Egan said it鈥檚 important to remain vigilant. She said even the Ford government鈥檚 plans to cut funding for hospitals and public-health units in Ontario will have a negative effect on women鈥檚 health.
鈥淸It will] deny women access to sexual health clinics, for poor women or women who really aren鈥檛 well acquainted with the healthcare system, immigrant women, racialized women, young women鈥� where do they get access and birth control?鈥� she said.
On Thursday, federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality to 鈥渞eaffirm Canadian women鈥檚 right to choose.鈥�
Egan said legislators can鈥檛 ignore the potential health risks to women who are denied access to safe abortions in Canada. She cited examples of women who died because they were forced to have illegal abortions or because they attempted the procedure themselves.
Egan said that approximately 47,000 women die every year around the world from illegal abortions, including in Canada.
鈥淲omen have shown, sadly, and many of them have lost their lives showing they will access abortion if they think it鈥檚 the right choice for them,鈥� she said.
With files from The Associated Press
