Six reasons to oppose Bill C-311 (updated)

A private member bill by Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall would create an “aggravating circumstance” clause in the Criminal Code to allow for greater penalties when a pregnant person is attacked. Second reading occurred on May 9. Third reading took place on June 14, 2023, and the bill was defeated by a vote of 205 to 113.

The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada opposed this bill and urged MPs to oppose the bill as well. The bill was redundant, and Wagantall and the anti-choice movement were using it as a vehicle to advance fetal rights and attack abortion rights.

Read our paper with six reasons to oppose the bill.