'More than a shame, it's injustice': Winnipeg clinic speaks out against Roe v. Wade decision
Organizers of a clinic in Winnipeg say they feel rage and fear after hearing of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that will allow states to ban abortions.
On Friday the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the country's constitutional protections for abortion.
"The U.S. Supreme Court has officially declared war on women’s bodily autonomy. This is pushing back progress on equal rights by half a century," a release from the Women's Health Clinic in Winnipeg reads. "We feel rage, fear, and an unwavering commitment to making sure this does not happen in Canada.
"This is more than a shame, it’s injustice."
University of Manitoba professor and bioethicist Arthur Schafer said abortion is federally protected in Canada – adding this is between the patient and their doctor.
''Abortion hasn't really been a controversial issue in Canada for the last 30 or 40 years," Schafer said.
But as tensions rise in the U.S., Schafer said Canadians are speaking up too.
''Canadian women, in particular, are even more vigilant in protecting the right."
In Winnipeg, Women's Health Clinic Executive Director Kemlin Nembhard said her phone has been ringing as people take in the news of the Roe v. Wade overturning.
"Ultimately what we need to talk about is abortion care is health care and that is final," Nembhard said.
The clinic said it will provide abortions to anybody who may need one. However the clinic said many seeking abortions don't have the ability to travel.
"The difference between legal and illegal abortion comes down to a question of class, access, and safety," the clinic said, adding the ability to travel for abortion care requires the privilege to afford time off work, travel expenses and a place to recover.
"The abortions will not stop. Access to safe abortions in the U.S. has been decimated," Keesha Daniels, the Health Services Manager at the clinic, said in the release. "People will suffer and die from illegal abortions. When people with uteruses suffer, all of humanity suffers.”
Leah Gazan, the MP for Winnipeg Centre, in response to the Roe v. Wade decision, said even in Canada many people do not have access to reproductive health services.
"We know there are places in Canada where there is absolutely no access to reproductive health services," Gazan said, adding she is pushing for more federal support. ''They have had a number of years to ensure that people can access this right and they have failed."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
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.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.