For Immediate Release
January 18, 2012
Island women deserve to know: NDP
The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island is calling on Premier Ghiz and members of his
caucus who attended the recent national Liberal convention to disclose how they voted on a resolution on abortion.
Resolution 58, a priority policy resolution of the National Women’s Liberal Commission was passed by convention delegates and would see the federal government “financially penalizing provinces that fail to abide by the provisions of the Canada Health Act with respect to ensuring complete access to these services, and/or covering costs related to their provision.”
NDP Communications and Public Relations Chair and PRRO supporter Chris van Ouwerkerk believes it’s important for Ghiz and his fellow Liberals to be completely transparent on where they stand on the issue.
“The Premier was just made Co-Chair of a supposedly innovative health board, and yet numerous high profile women’s organizations are coming out against him for being Anti-Choice” says van Ouwerkerk,
“Robert Ghiz needs to address whether or not he supported the Liberal abortion resolution. If not then the question is why is he Co-Chair of a forward thinking health board.” van Ouwerkerk continues “If he supported it, then we are hopeful he plans on providing abortion services to the Island rather then supporting unnecessary taxation on his citizens.”
The NDP believes it is time Premier Ghiz makes it clear where he stands on the issue and hopes that other Island Liberal delegates will follow suit. NDP of PEI Leader, James Rodd, echoes van Ouwerkerk’s concerns.
“Premier Ghiz is exposing Island taxpayers to financial risk through lawsuits and financial penalties by restricting Island women’s access to reproductive health services. The Premier can try to dress it up however he wants but by defying the laws of the land he’s obstructing the social and economic justice of Island women. They deserve an explanation from the Premier and his members as to why,” said Rodd.
Rodd noted that Premier Ghiz’s actions and comments have drawn the ire from local and national women’s and civil groups and now the Premier’s own party has rejected his position.
