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
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.