By Jenna Murphy
September 15, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Green Party of Canada released a document on Sunday in which Green Party leader, Elizabeth May, reasserted her strong support for abortion and her intention to provide “greater access” to abortion services in the country’s rural regions.
“On CTV’s Question Period today, it was incorrectly said that I am against a woman’s right to choose,” said Ms. May. “It is important that Canadians are aware of the Green Party’s belief that protecting abortion rights in Canada is critical. I share this belief and the Green Party will work to enhance availability of abortion services in Canada.”
Stating that her views on reproductive rights are “the same” as those of former American President Bill Clinton, May stated that the Green Party is committed to working towards “safe, legal and rare” abortions.
The news release goes on to say that May’s party seeks “to ensure greater access to abortion” and more reliable “prevention of unwanted pregnancies” throughout rural Canada, in particular.
The Green Party leader’s support of a “woman’s right to choose” is similar to every other major Canadian party platform on the issue. Party leaders from the Liberals, the Tories, the NDP, and the Bloc Quebecois parties have all previously joined the Green Party in voicing their opposition to creating legislation to limit or restrict access to abortion.
Despite the hopes of social conservatives that a Conservative government would work towards placing some reasonable restrictions on abortion in Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has repeatedly expressed his opposition to any such measures.
In June of 2006 Harper stated, “Let me be very clear on the positions I’ve have taken on [abortion]. I want there to be no misunderstanding. I’ve said repeatedly, that I will not, that my Conservative government will not be tabling any legislation impacting in any way a woman’s right to choose.”