Justin Trudeau denounces horrific U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortions

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly denounced a decision by the Supreme Court, which on Friday ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade and give states the decision on abortion rights.

The Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years.

The decision was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by a right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump.

Trudeau called the ruling “horrific,” saying his heart “goes out to the millions of American women who are now set to lose their legal right to an abortion.”

“I can’t imagine the fear and anger you are feeling right now,” Trudeau said. “No government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body. I want women in Canada to know that we will always stand up for your right to choose.”

The Conservative party’s interim leader, Candice Bergen, says its position on abortion hasn’t changed and it will not introduce legislation or reopen the abortion debate.

The federal NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh says in a statement, “the United States Supreme Court walked back women’s rights by making abortion effectively illegal in half the country,” adding, “You cannot make abortion illegal; you can only make safe abortion illegal. Women will die as a result of this devastating decision.”

Singh says his party is also reiterating calls for the feds to expand abortion services across Canada, “women in many parts of the country, particularly in rural communities, have to drive hundreds of miles to access the care they need,” and now it’s possible that women from the U.S. will start to come to Canada for abortion procedures.

“It’s crucial that the government invests in women’s health care and expands access to ensure Canadians can get the help they need, when they need it,” Singh says.

In Canada, abortion is regulated like any other medical service and already falls under provincial authority.

“Abortion is healthcare”

Cara Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), issued a statement shortly after news of the ruling was made public, calling it “an appalling step back in the ongoing struggle for equality.”

“We are deeply troubled not only by this decision but by the laws that may be enacted by some states in its wake – laws that will not eliminate abortion, only eliminate access to safe abortions,” Zwibel said.

“Abortion is healthcare. And we are lucky that in Canada most Canadians have access to abortion services through provincial healthcare systems.”

Zwibel mentions New Brunswick as an example, noting that 90 per cent of provincial residents do not have adequate access to abortion services.

New Brunswick’s government restricted abortion services to three hospitals in two cities, Zwibel says. A court challenge is underway over New Brunswick’s refusal to fund abortion clinics.

RELATED: Could abortion rights be put at risk in Canada?

Founded in 1964, the CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization.

Ontario NDP MPP Jill Andrew, who represents the riding of Toronto-St. Paul, says the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision is dooming an entire generation.

“I hear the anger, the fear and the sorrow pouring out today,” Andrew said.

“The United States Supreme Court is dooming a new generation to go without modern health care and without the right of each person to control their own body. That country is forcing another generation of women to fight the same battles their grandmothers did.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

The Supreme Court of Canada decriminalized the procedure in a landmark decision known as R. v. Morgentaler in 1988, deeming the existing criminal code provision unconstitutional.

No government in Canada has enacted legislation to replace it.

“Women and non-binary folks in the United States and everywhere can count on the New Democrats for solidarity in that battle,” Andrew said.

“The people who have been fighting for women’s rights for decades will not rest. Abortion is health care. [The] choice is our right.”

With files from The Associated Press