What is the cost of a Liberal majority?
For immediate release
Abortion rights group worries that Liberal government is losing its values after floor crossings of anti-choice Conservative MPs
NATIONAL – The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) is raising the alarm over three recent floor crossings of Conservative anti-abortion Members of Parliament to the Liberal side.
“Even if these new Liberals start voting against anti-choice bills, will the new majority do anything to further reproductive rights? We have our doubts,” said Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of ARCC.
The recent crossing of Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanon) was preceded by two other similar floor crossings in November and February, by Chris d’Entremont (Acadie—Annapolis) and Matt Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend), respectively. All three are designated as anti-choice by ARCC.[1]
“Gladu’s floor crossing seems to be crass political opportunism – a chance to jump the sinking Conservative ship and gain influence in government,” said Arthur. “Gladu has voted consistently for anti-choice bills. She also supported the ‘Freedom Convoy’ and the bigotry it represented. Her anti-vaccine stance indicates a disregard for public health. We find it hugely problematic that a person with those perspectives was courted and welcomed by the Liberal Party.”
“Political rebranding does not undo a long record of anti-choice beliefs and votes,” said Deanna Ronson, an ARCC Board member. “Welcoming anti-choice MPs into the Liberal caucus sends a troubling message to Canadians who expect reproductive rights to be defended clearly, consistently, and without compromise.”
“Carney’s Liberal government lost our trust from the start,” said Ronson. “As a new Prime Minister, his opening gift to women and trans people in Canada was to remove the Minister for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) from Cabinet, followed by an 80% reduction in WAGE’s budget despite other ministries receiving far smaller cuts.”
Although Carney mostly backtracked on these missteps after strong protests from women’s and gender equality organizations, Arthur said: “It’s as if Carney thinks gender equality rights are a frill that can be tossed aside. He must understand that Canada cannot be successful when over half the population is left behind.”
ARCC will be closely watching the new Liberal majority government. “We expect Prime Minister Carney to stand by the historical Liberal commitment to reproductive rights, both at home and abroad,” said Arthur. “That must include not just words, but actions and funding commitments.”
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[1] Matt Jeneroux claimed to be pro-choice but voted in favour of Bill C-311 in June 2023, which posed a risk to abortion rights. MPs who voted for that bill were designated as anti-choice by ARCC. Chris d’Entremont was absent for the Bill C-311 vote but voted in favour of Bill C-233 in June 2021, which would have criminalized abortion for reasons of sex selection.
