For decades he was the focus of attempts to make abortions available to Canadian women. Wednesday morning (May 29) Dr. Henry Morgentaler died at 90.
Morgentaler emerged in the 1960s as one of Canada’s most controversial figures when he broke the law at the time, and opened the country’s first abortion clinic in Montreal.
In 1967 he had emerged as an advocate for the right of women to have abortion on demand – a polarizing issue in Canada. His abortion clinic in Montreal was followed by more clinics across the country.
“His work changed the legal landscape in Canada, and eventually led to the 1988 landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision that gave women the right to obtain abortion care,” said Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation.
Anti-abortion activists targeted the clinics. Rallies, protests and legal battles followed until the 1988 Supreme Court decision which struck down Canada’s abortion law as unconstitutional.
“Finally, we have freedom of reproduction in this country,” he said at the time. He called it a victory for women, common sense and justice.
In 2008 he was named to the Order of Canada by the Governor General Michaëlle Jean.
More information:
CBC News – Abortion rights activist Dr. Henry Morgentaler dies at 90 – here
CTV – Controversial abortion crusader Dr. Henry Morgentaler dies at 90 – here
Toronto Star – Henry Morgentaler, abortion crusader, dead at 90 – here
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