SOS Grossesse Estrie helps about 800 people a year, a number that has increased since the start of the pandemic. Its director Paskale Hamel fears the consequences of the historic setback of the American Supreme Court.
I think it can weaken [le droit à l’avortement au Canada], even if we are protected. Here, it’s a right, abortion. But it’s still worrying. Will this cause more anti-choice groups to rise in Canada?
she wonders.
She also fears that Canadian health services, which are already struggling to meet demand, will be unable to support an increase in American patients.
” It may even be that women from the United States move to Canada and that will perhaps lead to an increase in abortions here. Will we be able to meet the demand? I’m not sure, because there are already delays, there is already a lack of clinics in Canada. »
She also points out that people who seek an abortion in Canada already face obstacles.
In Estrie, there is only one clinic that performs abortion. In Quebec, there are still several, but in Canadian provinces, there are certain places where women do not have access to abortion and they have to go to another region. There is still a lack of services
she argues.
Johanne Bilodeau, who is coordinator at the Collective for Free Choice, also said she was shocked by this news. She fears in particular that this decision puts the lives of pregnant people in danger.
Prohibiting abortion, weakening its access, will not reduce the number of abortions. On the contrary, it increases the number of illegal and dangerous abortions. It is to maintain services that are healthy, safe, available and delivered by people who are trained. That’s how we’re gonna save women’s lives
she hammers.
An abortion is a normal and simple procedure that is very safe when performed in a healthy environment that is made for it, by people who are trained to do it too.
she adds.
Not about to happen
in Canada
Contacted by Radio-Canada, the Liberal MP for Compton-Stanstead Marie-Claude Bibeau assures us that the right to abortion is not questioned in the country.
In Canada, this is not about to happen. We should never take anything for granted, but I can assure you that we are 100% united in the direction of the right to abortion and the protection of women’s rights, not only in Canada, but abroad as well.
she points out.
” Our effort in Canada is to ensure that there are more services, that they are more accessible in all the provinces. »
Conservative MP for Richmond-Arthabaska Alain Rayes was unavailable to comment on the news Friday. His cabinet indicates, however, that his position on issues of abortion rights has always been clear
. In May, he notably posted on Twitter that What is happening in the United States is worrying. I will always stand up for my two daughters and all women
. In a written statement, his party also indicated that the Conservative Party will not introduce a bill or reopen the debate on abortion
.
Various Estrie organizations are planning a demonstration on June 26 in front of the Sherbrooke courthouse in support of the Americans.
With information from Alexis Tremblay and Emy Lafortune
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca