James Rodd, Leader of the NDP PEI address to the rally
Thank you to the rally organizers, the members of the P.E.I. Reproductive Rights Organization, for inviting me to speak today on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island. As many of you know, the New Democratic Party is the only political party in P.E.I. that has stood for full reproductive rights for women for over 40 years.
It’s encouraging to see that new efforts are being made to obtain what should be a basic right for all women.
Almost 30 years ago, women in Prince Edward Island lost access to in-province abortion services. A limited form of out-of-province service is available but, in our view:
– it is not promoted properly,
– information regarding access to out-of-province service is not provided in a consistent and comprehensive fashion;
– access is not provided on an equitable or practical basis for many women;
– financial barriers exist; and
– delays are encountered in accessing out-of-province abortions.
We know this government has concealed information regarding this legal service. There is no information about abortion on the government website. Nor does this government promote awareness about the current policy that, at least on paper, allows each woman access to financial support for up to two abortions at off-Island clinics.
By hiding this information, the government is denying Island women the right to health care services that should be available to them. When there is no access to information, many women are left to their own devices and, sometimes, desperate measures.
This is shameful behaviour by the Ghiz government.
And it is especially shameful when this necessary and legal health care service can be provided here in Prince Edward Island. We have the necessary equipment here and the trained medical staff to perform safe abortions.
It is not a question of ability; it a question of credibility. Of the credibility of the Liberal and Conservative politicians who make lame excuses to avoid providing what is a necessary and legal health care service.
And it’s not about cost, either. The Prince Edward Island government is already paying for abortions; the only difference is that they’re paying for them in other provinces, with the attendant extra costs that such an approach requires. How is paying for abortions on the mainland any different, morally or ethically, than providing them on the Island?
But there’s also another cost that the current system produces. And that’s the cost borne by women who have to leave behind their support systems, be it family or friends or professional services.
Abortion, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a legal service that is available to every woman in every province in Canada, except Prince Edward Island. Over the past 30 years, both Liberal and Conservative governments in Prince Edward Island have refused to support women’s access to abortion in this province.
So what is the Health Minister Doug Currie saying about this issue? He says – and I quote:
“wants to hear from both sides on whether abortion services should be available on P.E.I. He said abortion is just one of many medical procedures not offered on the Island and that the province does pay for it when it’s done elsewhere.”
Mr. Currie, what are the BOTH sides to which you’re referring? Abortion is a legal and necessary health care service – PERIOD.
Mr. Currie, why does your government hide the fact that it will pay for abortions? Women have been forced to pay for this themselves because your government does not provide proper information.
And what are the Conservatives saying?!!
Conservative Health Critic James Aylward said – and I quote:
“There are many services that are currently not available on P.E.I., that Islanders have to travel off-Island for. Unfortunately, due to our limited resources here on P.E.I., being a small province, being a small population, there is just so much money to go around.”
Mr. Aylward, give your head a shake! The government will pay for abortions off-Island. It is not a question of money. It is a question of accessing primary health care services. It is a question of information, a question of rights and a question of equality for Island women.
It’s time for the Liberals and the Conservatives to quit playing politics with Health Care and Women’s rights.
What we are addressing here today is Access to Primary Health Care Services, the same services that are available to other women in Canada.
Women on P.E.I. deserve the same access.
And let’s be clear. This is not about opening up the abortion issue!
There is NO abortion issue. That question was settled in 1988 by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Chief Justice Brian Dickson, wrote: “Forcing a woman, by threat of criminal sanction to carry a foetus to term unless she meets certain criteria unrelated to her own priorities and aspirations, is a profound interference with a woman’s body and thus a violation of her security of the person.” Chief Justice Dickson was referring to Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights.
The province has been ignoring its responsibility to women in Prince Edward Island for over 30 years. It’s a question of equality!
The New Democratic Party long ago made a commitment to a woman’s right to self-determination in every sense, including her right to decide whether or not to bear children. Now it’s time for the other political parties to step up and bring P.E.I. into line with women’s rights in the other nine provinces, to do the right thing and to do it quickly — for the sake of all Island women and all Islanders who believe in equality.
Thank you.
