OTTAWA, Jan 5, 2001 (LSN.ca) – Canadian Health Minister Allan Rock has admitted to the press that he will pressure the New Brunswick (NB) provincial government to finance abortions in the private abortuary of prominent abortionist Henry Morgentaler even though the province already funds abortions in hospitals.
Catherine Lappe, an aide to Mr. Rock, told the Globe and Mail that Rock will tell NB health minister Dennis Furlong that the federal government considers New Brunswick’s policy a violation of the law and an undermining of the principles of the Canada Health Act. According to the Globe, “She said the minister’s call will be a first warning and that Mr. Rock might not explicitly threaten to withhold federal funds at that time.” But she suggested that funds may be withheld in the future.
The province pays for abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy committed at hospitals by an obstetrician-gynecologist after the approval of two physicians. But Morgentaler, whose baby-killing franchise business has made him a fortune in Canada, is complaining that his Fredericton “clinic”, which aborts babies at least until 16 weeks, is not funded by the taxpayers.
“Ottawa should mind its own business regarding Medicare funding of abortion,” says the executive director of a pro-life group in the province. Peter Ryan of the New Brunswick Right to Life Association says federal health minister Allan Rock is behaving like a bully.
“Health care is a provincial jurisdiction,” Ryan says. “It is up to each province to determine what medical services it pays for.” When Mr. Rock suggests New Brunswick is violating federal law governing Medicare, he is making it up, notes Ryan. “The Canada Health Act does not mention abortion. Nor does it authorize the federal government to dictate to the provinces what services must be insured.” Ryan feels the New Brunswick government should defend its position in court if necessary.
Abortion is “a tragic choice, but not a medical necessity,” he says. “There is no justification for forcing taxpayers to cover elective choices carried out at private clinics. Ultimately, it is an act of collective suicide for a province to fund the demise of its own children.”
See the Globe and Mail article at: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gam/National/20010105/UABORN.html