Alison Jones, Canadian Press Published Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 3:19 PM EDT Last Updated on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 5:25 PM EDT
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford vowed on Wednesday to maintain access to abortions in the province, while the other three main parties said they would expand it if elected in June.
Party leaders have been confronted with questions about the issue during the election campaign following an expired draft ruling by the United States Supreme Court that would overturn the country’s right to legal abortion.
Ford, who is seeking re-election, said he would maintain the status quo, but avoided questions about whether he welcomed views against abortion among members of his assembly. In 2019, three members of his group attended a rally against abortion in the legislature.
“We’re not going to change anything in Ontario,” Ford said during a rally in Brampton, Ontario. “We keep it exactly the same.”
NDP leader Andrea Horvat said she would increase access to abortion in the province’s northern and rural areas by investing in health facilities and staff in those regions.
“Every woman, every person who needs abortion services, should be able to receive these services without any worries, without any problems and without any long waits that would prevent them from having a safe procedure,” she said.
“We need to make sure the services are there in every part of Ontario for the women who need them.
Liberal leader Stephen Del Duca has said he will protect and improve access to safe abortions. His party said it would invest $ 15 million to improve access to women’s health services, including abortion services, if elected.
“These are rights that cannot be taken for granted,” Del Duca said. “They are fragile. There are always those in society who are ready to try to bring us back in this regard. “
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner has said he will expand the number of women’s health clinics and abortion clinics in Ontario.
Abortion has been decriminalized in Canada due to a 1988 Supreme Court ruling here.
– with files from Holly Mackenzie-Suther, Liam Casey and Maan Alhmidi.
This Canadian Press report was first published on May 4, 2022.
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