Impact of Roe v. Wade ruling felt in Ottawa
The impact of the Roe v. Wade ruling in the United States, allowing states to ban abortions, is being felt here in the nation’s capital.
Pro-choice organizations say Americans are already calling Canadian support lines to ask for help in gaining access to a safe abortion.
"We have seen an increase in people calling us and asking for support in finding an abortion here in Canada," said Jaisie Walker, executive director of Planned Parenthood Ottawa. "It is not only incredibly scary for them, but also impacts clinic wait times and other services in Canada that are already under resourced here as well."
Walker says an increase in those calls started after the leak of a draft opinion that indicated the United States Supreme Court was prepared to do so.
“Global research suggests that whether it is legal or illegal, people who are pregnant will still search it out,” said Margot Francis, an associate professor at Brock University’s Centre for Women and Gender Studies. “Criminalizing abortion does not decrease the number of abortions, it means they are less safe.”
In Canada, there’s no specific law around abortion and the medical procedure is legal.
"We don’t have specific laws," said Walker. "What will happen and what is already happening, is a massive impact on stigma and access."
Meanwhile, anti-abortion supporters celebrated the overturning of the Roe. v. Wade decision in the United States.
“This is amazing, this is probably the best day in American history and in my lifetime it’s incredible,” said one supporter. “Thank god for all the people who have been fighting for more than 50 years.”
Abortion was decriminalized in Canada in 1988 as a result of a landmark decision, in which the Supreme Court of Canada struck down a federal law. Since then there’s been no legislation that was ever passed to replace it.
Dozens of people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy on Sussex Drive Friday evening to protest the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional protections for abortion.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.