Hundreds of people protested in front of the legislature in the Canadian province of New Brunswick to protect the right of women to have safe abortions in the province.
Photo Credit: David Smith/CP

Hundreds protest for province to fund private abortion clinics, repeal law

Hundreds of people protested outside the legislature of the Canadian province of New Brunswick on Thursday (April 17) calling on the government to fund private clinics and to repeal Regulation 84-20. The law limits provincial funding of abortions only to hospitals after two doctors certify it’s medically necessary. Provincial laws across Canada on abortion vary, there are restrictions, but it is not illegal.

The protests come after a private clinic in the province announced it was closing in July because it couldn’t afford to continue services. The Morgentaler clinic, which was opened in 1994, is the only private abortion facility in New Brunswick and the only one east of the city of Montreal in Canada.

The clinic says it has never been able to meet its expenses and financial shortfalls were covered by Dr. Henry Morgentaler, who died nearly a year ago.

“In the past 10 years, the clinic has contributed over $105,400 to subsidize abortions for women unable to pay the full amount,” the clinic said.

Since 2002 Dr Morgentaler had been fighting the law in the courts, but now without his financial support, the clinic says it cannot continue the legal battle.

In 1969 Dr. Henry Morgentaler emerged as one of Canada’s most controversial figures when he broke the law and opened the country’s first abortion clinic. Over the next two decades, the Montreal doctor would be heralded as a hero by some and called a murderer by others as he fought to change Canada’s abortion laws.

More information:
Cambridge News – Hundreds protest New Brunswick abortion rules – here
Canadian Press – New Brunswick rally presses province to fund private abortion clinics – here
Medical Services Payment Act – Regulation 84-20 – here
CBC News – Morgentaler abortion clinic in Fredericton to close – here
CBC News – Morgentaler’s lawsuit over New Brunswick abortion funding dropped – here
RCI – Canadian abortion advocate, Dr Henry Morgentaler, dies at 90 – here
CBC Archives – Dr. Henry Morgentaler: Fighting Canada’s Abortion Laws – here

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