The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau has condemned the US Supreme Court’s decision to abolish the constitutional right to abortion and suggested that American women can still be able to access legal and safe abortions in Canada.
In a recent tweet, Trudeau said: “My heart goes out to the millions of American women who are now set to lose their legal right to an abortion. I can’t imagine the fear and anger you are feeling right now. No government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body.”
When reporters asked by him whether Canada would assist US women seeking abortions, Trudeau didn’t offer a direct answer to the question and did not offer specific measures on the issue. However, he said: “Everyday Americans who find themselves in Canada access our health care system in Canada and that’s certainly something that will continue.”
Other details have been shared and it is not certain how crossing the border to access abortion might contravene specific state laws in the US.
The US Supreme Court recently voted to overturn the historic abortion law known as Roe Vs Wade, which ended 50 years of federal abortion rights. This decision has effectively put an end to the constitutional right to an abortion for millions of US women and will give allowance for individual states to introduce bans.
Prior to the ruling, Canada suggested it would keep welcoming people from the US seeking abortions. In May 2022, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino disclosed he was having discussions with Canada Border Services Agency to ensure Americans seeking abortions can cross over to Canada for a safe abortion. However, few details of this plan were disclosed.
Some have exhibited doubt that Canada can fulfill this promise of offering a “safe haven” for women in the US affected by the recent development.
While Canada is the only country in the world with absolutely no criminal restrictions on abortion, the country has its peculiar problems with access to safe abortion, even before factoring in the potential increase in demand from the US. For example, there are relatively few abortion clinics in the country and many are operating at full capacity.
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