麻豆影视

Politics

    • Liberals promise to protect abortion access in Canada, but aren't clear yet on how

    Share
    OTTAWA -

    Liberal lawmakers on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border are vowing to defend access to legal abortions, but the issue's divergent and divisive history in each country guarantees they'll go about it in very different ways.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, long a self-proclaimed defender of progressive values, promised Wednesday to protect the ability of Canadians to safely and legally obtain an abortion, though he wasn't clear how he'll go about it.

    The right to an abortion doesn't exist in Canada in the same way it is enshrined in Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that has served as a rock-ribbed legal scaffold for reproductive rights champions around the world for nearly half a century.

    Abortion is decriminalized in Canada because of a 1988 Supreme Court decision, but no bill has ever been passed to enshrine access into law and it's also not considered a constitutionally protected right under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

    Americans' constitutional right appears on the verge of collapse: a draft Supreme Court decision, first reported Monday by Politico, suggests the court is poised to overturn the 1973 ruling and restore the ability of states to establish their own abortion laws.

    鈥淭he freedom of a woman to choose belongs to her and her alone,鈥 Trudeau said Wednesday when asked if the government would codify abortion rights through legislation.

    Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Status of Women Minister Marci Ien, he continued, are examining the 鈥渓egal framework鈥 to ensure 鈥渢he rights of women are properly protected鈥 under both the current and any future government.

    On the campaign trail last year, the Liberals promised to introduce regulations under the Canada Health Act to ensure abortion services were both clearly medically necessary and publicly funded.

    That promise grew from a disagreement between Ottawa and New Brunswick about whether the province had to fund abortions at Clinic 554, a private clinic in Fredericton. Health Canada has already clawed back nearly $270,000 in transfer funds as a result of that dispute since 2020.

    Liberal House leader Mark Holland said 鈥渋t's too early to hypothesize鈥 what the government may do to protect access to abortions in Canada, including going further than regulations and using legislation to do it.

    鈥淚 think we need to take a step back and make sure we do it right and that it's not reactionary,鈥 he said, adding, 鈥淭his government is prepared to do everything to ensure those rights are protected.鈥

    In Washington, however, Democrats - seized for months by the fear of a looming electoral reckoning in November, now energized by the perfect issue to galvanize their base - aren't mincing their words.

    鈥淭his is no longer an abstract exercise. This is real as it gets,鈥 Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday, promising to hold a vote next week on just such a bill.

    It's doomed to fail. Two key swing Democrats - West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema - say they will protect the filibuster, a procedural tool that effectively raises the win-lose threshold in the evenly split Senate from 50 to 60 votes.

    But with the midterms on the horizon, the point is winning the election, not the vote.

    鈥淓very single American is going to see where every single senator stands on protecting a woman's right to choose,鈥 Schumer said. 鈥淎nd rest assured, Americans will be watching.鈥

    While reproductive rights are clearly in danger in the U.S., access to abortion services in Canada is relatively good, said Kelly Gordon, a political science professor and abortion expert at McGill University in Montreal.

    Many advocates fear that any effort to codify that access into law in Canada would risk triggering an erosion of those services, Gordon said.

    Limits on how late in a pregnancy an abortion can be performed are determined at the provincial or territorial level in Canada, and enforced by the medical community, not the courts, she added.

    鈥淭here's no criminal law around that, and that works well for the abortion provision community,鈥 Gordon said. 鈥淚t's doctors that are deciding these term limits, which I think a lot of folks think is where that decision-making power should be.鈥

    Despite the differences, abortion remains a politically volatile issue for both countries - one that just detonated in the U.S. on the cusp of a compelling election season.

    In Canada, Conservative MPs, warned off by their party leadership from commenting on the U.S. situation, went out of their way to avoid the discussion on Wednesday.

    The NDP leader, meanwhile, held a news conference to assert that the Liberals need to do more than talk about protecting a right to choose, and ensure women can access abortions everywhere.

    鈥淩ural communities, Indigenous communities, it is impossible to find anything locally so 芒鈧 women are driving hundreds of kilometres,鈥 said Jagmeet Singh.

    鈥淎nd while the Liberals are caught up in fighting the Conservatives over the right, neither of them have done anything to meaningfully expand access.鈥

    Trudeau defended the government's record on abortion, pointing to a three-year $45-million fund for community organizations to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care information and services for vulnerable populations. And he said the government is investigating barriers to abortion access across the country with a view to fixing it.

    But promises made in the last election have thus far gone untouched. The government has promised a $10-million information portal on reproductive health and rights, but there was no mention of it in the federal budget last month.

    A promised $10 million for youth organizations to 鈥渞espond to the unique sexual and reproductive health needs of young people鈥 has also yet to materialize.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2022.

    IN DEPTH

    Opinion

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

    When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    How to win the fight with kids over phone use

    The end of the day 鈥 when school, extracurricular activities and homework are (hopefully) finally done 鈥 is the window that many kids have for downtime. It can be a struggle to convince them not to go on their phones.

    Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.

    Canada

    • A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.

    • The 75-year-old building, formerly the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce building, was relocated to the Parks Canada compound on the edge of the townsite.

    • Mattea Roach among the Maritimers honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal Friday.

    • Montrealers can get used to taking a stroll on several car-free streets during the summer in the years to come thanks to a new commitment from the city.

    • Advocates have identified the woman who died this week after being shot by police in Surrey, B.C., as a South American refugee who was raising a young daughter.

    World

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    • Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.

    • How to win the fight with kids over phone use

      The end of the day 鈥 when school, extracurricular activities and homework are (hopefully) finally done 鈥 is the window that many kids have for downtime. It can be a struggle to convince them not to go on their phones.

    • While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.

    Sports

    • Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

    • Heading into Friday鈥檚 game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

    Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

    An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

    They say a dog is a man鈥檚 best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

    A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

    Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

    The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

    The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

    It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.

    • A six-year-old girl who was reported missing in northern B.C. earlier this week remains unaccounted for, and "significant resources from across the province" have joined in the search, police said Saturday.

    • The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.

    • British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad was at a low point in his life two years ago, both personally and politically.

    • York Regional Police say they are looking for a homicide suspect after a wellness check led police to a body at a home in Richmond Hill early Saturday.

    • Toronto police say they have now identified a third person who they believe was involved in a shooting that left two men dead in North York earlier this week.

    • A man is fighting for his life in hospital a day after a vehicle smashed into several others in and around an intersection in Milton before flipping over.

    • The man charged with fatally stabbing lifelong Banff resident Ethan Enns-Goneau in 2022 has been convicted of second-degree murder.

    • A robust crew of volunteers are raising funds and awareness for first responders and veterans Saturday at Calgary police headquarters in northeast Calgary.

    • Heading into Friday鈥檚 game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."

    • The 17th annual Canada Army Run is scheduled to take place Sunday in Ottawa, impacting traffic throughout downtown.

    • A joint police operation to promote safe driving on Highway 417 in the Ottawa area has resulted in laying dozens of charges in three hours Friday, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

    • The family of a 30-year-old woman from eastern Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are renewing a call asking for help finding her, one year after she went missing.

    • Montrealers can get used to taking a stroll on several car-free streets during the summer in the years to come thanks to a new commitment from the city.

    • Some residents in Notre-Dame-de-Gr芒ce (NDG) are raising concerns about the decision to repave the de Maisonneuve bike path, arguing that other roads in the borough should be a higher priority.

    • Montreal Police (SPVM) say residents of a home in the Saint-Laurent borough were evacuated early Saturday morning after a vehicle fire spread to the house.

    • Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

    • Halifax Regional Police warned the public of a series of high-value thefts targeting retail stores Friday.

    • The Lower Sackville area in Nova Scotia has access to a new section of trail, according to a news release from the government of Canada on Saturday.

    • New Brunswick鈥檚 Green Party leader David Coon announced his commitment to restore services cut by previous Liberal and Conservative governments to rural parts of the province on Saturday.

    • The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.

    • A Winnipeg man is behind bars after a stolen motorcycle he was filling up with gas suddenly caught fire.

    • While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.

    • The last two months after losing her daughter Bella have been extremely difficult for Kyla Thomson.

    • Regina police arrested three youths in connection to a bear mace incident at a Regina high school on Friday.

    • Heading into Friday's game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."

    • Protests were held in front of Kitchener City Hall on Friday, both for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education and queer rights in schools.

    • The provincial government is considering new rules to restrict a municipality鈥檚 ability to install new bike lanes if it means traffic lanes would be removed.

    • Police said the pedestrian, a 52-year-old man, was taken to an out-of-region hospital with life-threatening injuries and the driver of the vehicle failed to remain at the scene.

    • Heading into Friday's game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."

    • The City of Saskatoon is proposing changes to the proposed downtown shelter site plan following feedback from nearby residents and businesses.

    • The 75-year-old building, formerly the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce building, was relocated to the Parks Canada compound on the edge of the townsite.

    • A motorcyclist has died following a serious collision that took place in London鈥檚 south end on Friday afternoon.

    • The London Police Service (LPS) is currently investigating a suspicious death in the east end.

    • The St. Thomas police is asking the public for help locating a missing man.

    • A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.

    • One person is in hospital after an e-bike crash in Orillia on Thursday.

    • On Saturday, OPP officers responded to a call after a car hit a tree in a parking lot at 8:00 a.m. on West St. S and King St in Orillia.

    • The St. Clair College golf teams were successful at the Niagara Knights Invitational tournament on Friday.

    • A LaSalle high school is celebrating its emerald anniversary this weekend, with everyone who has ever walked its halls invited to return.

    • A new report released by Statistics Canada has analyzed the rate of post-secondary attendance between young immigrants and domestic students.

    • A six-year-old girl who was reported missing in northern B.C. earlier this week remains unaccounted for, and "significant resources from across the province" have joined in the search, police said Saturday.

    • The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.

    • British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad was at a low point in his life two years ago, both personally and politically.

    • A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.

    • The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.

    • Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls 鈥 including one that gave birth to 10 puppies 鈥 from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.

    • Despite the heavy rain, plenty of muscle turned up for United Way鈥檚 annual Pull the Bus fundraiser in Lethbridge Friday.

    • Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

    • A 26-year-old driver from Surrey, B.C., has been charged with three counts of criminal negligence causing death and bodily harm in a crash that killed two youths in northern Ontario last year.

    • Ontario Provincial Police say three suspects from southern Ontario have been charged and drugs worth $300,000 have been seized following a traffic stop Sept. 16.

    • A Brampton driver, 27, was charged this week when northern Ontario police stopped the SUV he was driving on Highway 17 after a reported shooting and found more than $100,000 in cash.

    N.L.

    Stay Connected
    Follow 麻豆影视