A Canadian official recently said pregnant Americans could get abortions in Canada if the U.S. Supreme Court formalizes something along the lines of the recently leaked draft majority opinion that overturns the court’s prior ruling in Roe v. Wade. It’s that earlier ruling, of course, that established the legally recognized nationwide right to an abortion. Overturning the ruling would mean that handling abortion access would be left up to state leaders, and Republicans in dozens of states are set to jump at the opportunity to broadly ban abortions.
The right to choose is a woman’s right and a woman’s right alone. Every woman in Canada has a right to a safe and legal abortion. We’ll never back down from protecting and promoting women’s rights in Canada and around the world.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 3, 2022
Legal provisions are in force in Texas, the second-largest U.S. state, that would ban almost all abortions if the Roe decision is overturned. The Canadian official speaking about the potential for U.S. individuals to obtain abortions in Canada was Karina Gould, who serves as minister of families, children and social development. Asked if Canada would allow Americans to obtain abortions if nationwide protections for the procedure in the U.S. are eliminated, Gould replied: “I don’t see why we would not… If they, people, come here and need access, certainly, you know, that’s a service that would be provided.” With a somewhat broader perspective, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also spoke out, saying: “The right to choose is a woman’s right and a woman’s right alone. Every woman in Canada has a right to a safe and legal abortion. We’ll never back down from protecting and promoting women’s rights in Canada and around the world.”
A stolen, illegitimate, and far-right Supreme Court majority appears set to destroy the right to abortion, an essential right which protects the health, safety, and freedom of millions of Americans. There is no other recourse. We must expand the court.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) May 3, 2022
A spokesperson for Gould clarified that U.S. individuals seeking abortions in Canada would still be responsible in some form for costs associated with the procedure. “Americans accessing health care services in Canada would continue to have to pay for the service out-of-pocket or by their own private insurance if they are not covered by a provincial health insurance, by the Interim Federal Health Program or Non-Insured Health Benefits,” they said. Gould herself added that she was worried about the prospects for Canadian individuals who might seek abortions in the U.S. because of limited domestic availability. “One of the concerning factors here is that there are many Canadian women who maybe don’t live near a major city in Canada, but will often access these services in the United States… I’m very concerned about the leak yesterday. I’m very concerned about what this means, particularly for American women, but also for Canadian women,” the Canadian official said.
I am asking every member of the Senate right now, what other judicial outrage must we endure from this illegitimate majority before we act?
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) May 3, 2022
The draft majority opinion that leaked is, in fact, a draft, and there’s still time for the alignment of the Justices on this issue to change before the late June point when the final conclusions from the court are expected. Chief Justice John Roberts — the only Republican-appointed Justice reportedly not in favor of the draft opinion — confirmed the document’s authenticity.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.):
"There is no other recourse. We must abolish the filibuster in order to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, and we must expand the Supreme Court in order to reclaim the stolen seats, and restore balance and the faith of the American people."
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) May 3, 2022
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