Abortion in Canada

Introduction

Abortion is a deeply divisive political issue in Canadian politics and society, despite the practice being largely legal in the country, publicly funded, and protected through laws such as Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, the Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Act and the Supreme Court of Canada’s 1989 ruling in Tremblay v. Daigle. Like their counterparts in the United States, Conservative individuals and politicians have been actively involved in this issue. Recent developments, including the release of a draft opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, have reignited the abortion debate in Canada. Conservative views on abortion in Canada exist on a spectrum from strict opposition to the practice to acceptance.

Legal Status of Abortion in Canada

Abortion is considered a fundamental right in Canadian law guaranteed by the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Morgentaler. The court deemed restrictions on voluntary pregnancy termination to be unconstitutional. Consequent rulings established that the father of the child would have no say in whether the pregnancy could be terminated or not and established that fetuses cannot be considered to be legal persons. Individuals under the age of 14 and incapacitated persons cannot get abortions without consent from legal guardians. In Canada, there is no term limit for ending a pregnancy.

Evolution of Conservative Views on Abortion

Over the years, conservative perspectives on abortion in Canada have undergone an evolution, driven by a blend of ideological convictions and shifts in public sentiment. Contemporary polling data underscores a significant majority of Canadians, including those within the conservative faction, expressing a desire for their party leaders to endorse women’s right to make choices regarding abortion. Notably, a substantial majority of Conservative voters (56 percent) now indicate a preference for their next leader to advocate for abortion rights, signifying a notable shift in prevailing public sentiment. Historically, abortion was regarded as something that should be limited in some capacity within most of the major political parties. Since the early 2000s, no major political party proposes placing any abortion laws.

Diversity of Conservative Abortion Views

The realm of conservatism encompasses a diverse range of ideological standpoints, leading to considerable variance in attitudes toward abortion within the conservative community. Within this context, social conservatives persist in their inclination to advocate for the limitation or retraction of abortion rights in Canada. Notwithstanding this presence, strategists within conservative circles have become increasingly circumspect about promoting stringent abortion policies, recognizing the potential jeopardy and prospective loss of support, particularly among female voters and in urban locales.