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FREDERICTON, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Canada’s Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh is pressing the New Brunswick government over its refusal to publicly fund all abortions.

New Brunswick currently funds abortions only when committed in approved hospitals and after two doctors have deemed the procedure medically necessary. Dosanjh claims the province is violating the Canada Health Act for refusing to use public money to fund what it considers to be an always medically necessary procedure. 

Campaign Life Coalition New Brunswick president Peter Ryan stated, “I am not surprised that Mr. Dosanjh is trying to force New Brunswickers to pay for the unnecesary death of some 600 of our province’s children each year. He has been a pro-abortion extremist since his days as NDP Attorney-General in BC when he was in favour of arresting people for peacefully protesting outside abortion clinics.”  Ryan considers Dosanjh’s actions to be “on thin legal ground.” The provincial pro-life leader stated, “New Brunswick is not violating the Canada Health Act. The Act says nothing about abortion. Constitutionally, the federal government has no business dictating to the provinces whether they fund abortion or not.” 

Ryan added, “The province should stand its ground. The minister is demanding that the province break its own law against funding abortion on demand at private clinics. If necessary, the province should fight the feds in court. We have a good case.”“In Henry Morgentaler’s lawsuit the question of whether New Brunswick’s law violates the Canada Health Act is already before the courts” said Ryan. He emphasised that “Mr. Dosanjh should leave it there.” 

Pro-life groups in BC demanded the resignation of then NDP Attorney General Dosanjh in 1999 after learning the NDP contributed money to the BC Pro-Choice Action Network. 

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage: 

Secret Documents Show Health Canada Investigating Provinces on Abortion Provision 

Sikh Minister Excuses Pro-Gay Stance Saying Vatican Had No Effect on Catholic Prime Minister

BC Premier Making Abortion An Election Issue

BC Premier Demonstrates Pro-Abortion Activism In Throne Speech

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