MORGENTALER TO PROCEED WITH LAWSUITS

HALIFAX, October 23, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Henry Morgentaler, top magnate of the Canadian abortion industry, will proceed with lawsuits against New Brunswick and Nova Scotia over their refusal to use tax dollars to fund abortions in his chain of profit-making private clinics.  “It’s time to revert to this,” said Marilyn Wilson of Ottawa-based CARAL, Morgentaler’s longtime ally, which will be supporting the lawsuits. “We’ve been trying to negotiate with both provinces to comply with the provisions of the Canada Health Act and nothing seems to be working,” said Wilson. Morgentaler has long claimed that the Canada Health Act requires provinces to pay for abortions in profit-driven private clinics.  There are about 500 abortions performed annually at the Morgentaler clinic in Fredericton, with patients paying between $475 and $725, while another 500 are done in hospitals each year. Morris Green of the Nova Scotia Department of Health said the province pays for the doctor’s portion, but that women are asked to pay the $425 facility fee which goes into Morgentaler’s pocket.  Morgentaler has launched similar actions in Quebec and Manitoba. Morgentaler said Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Quebec don’t fund abortions in private clinics, unlike all other provinces.  For newswire coverage see:  https://www.canada.com/montreal/story.asp?id={859663E2-429D-4DFC-9009-41F45B7A1EF0}