Reproductive Rights Should Be an Election Issue
For immediate release
Funding and Access is At Risk
NATIONAL – The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada is concerned that serious threats to reproductive rights posed by a possible Conservative government are being overlooked, and that Liberal leader Mark Carney may have a lesser commitment to gender equality than Justin Trudeau.
“Abortion access is at serious risk in Canada, and yet not much has been heard on this issue as we head into Election Day,” said Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC).
The current federal Liberal government defunded Abortion Care Canada despite it having a unique role in training new abortion providers and funding access for vulnerable Canadians. “If Abortion Care Canada doesn’t survive, access in Canada will be severely impacted for years,” said Arthur. Further, Mark Carney recently eliminated the Ministry for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. “This tells us that Carney does not see human rights as a priority. It’s a red flag that could undermine decades of progress toward gender equality in Canada,” said Arthur.
Most Conservative candidates are anti-choice according to ARCC’s criteria. That includes Pierre Poilievre and other supposedly “pro-choice” incumbents who voted in favour of Bill C311 in 2023 – which was being used by the anti-choice movement as a vehicle for fetal personhood and abortion restrictions. “We’re tired of false promises from Conservatives about how they won’t legislate on abortion, when we know they will introduce more private member bills against abortion in the future,” said Arthur.
“In 2025, we are challenging each party to explain how they will improve abortion access – including the Conservatives. We expect them to tell voters the specific policies and funding they will put in place to ensure access to care, especially for our most marginalized communities,” said Arthur.
ARCC’s 2025 Federal Election Toolkit isa fully-researched guide designed to help voters understand where every federal candidate stands on abortion rights. With disinformation flowing into Canada from American outlets and social media, it’s critical that Canadians head to the polls armed with facts, not fear. Here’s what the toolkit offers:
- Voting Guide, with stances of all candidates on abortion
- Info pieces:
- Threats to abortion and reproductive justice under a possible Conservative government
- What has each party done for (and against) reproductive rights?
- Records of hardline anti-choice Conservative MPs
- Election-related press releases, newsletters, and articles
- Letter tool, enabling voters to contact all their candidates
- Questions for candidates that voters can ask in any venue
- “Solidarity Statement of Support for Abortion Rights and Reproductive Justice,” for individuals and groups to sign
- Online petition at Change.org: “Uphold Abortion Rights!”
- Social media kit that voters can download to share our toolkit
- Free stickers, buttons, posters, and cards
Media Contacts
https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/media/2020/07/Media-contact-list_bilingual.pdf
