Advertisement

B.C. Conservative leader pledges not to ‘reopen the abortion debate’

Click to play video: 'BC NDP accuse Conservative MLA of surreptitiously referencing abortion'
BC NDP accuse Conservative MLA of surreptitiously referencing abortion
WATCH: A Conservative Party of BC MLA's private members statement is continuing to make waves after the NDP accused him of making a surreptitious reference to abortion. Legislative bureau chief Keith Baldrey has the details and explains the potential political fallout – May 10, 2024

The leader of the Conservative Party of BC is pledging not to “reopen the abortion debate” after one of his MLAs appeared to suggest motherhood begins at conception.

Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman made the comments in the legislative assembly Tuesday.

“From the moment of conception through the journey of pregnancy and motherhood, and throughout the myriad of challenges of triumphs that follow, motherhood is the nurturing force that sustains life and shapes our future,” Banman said.

Those comments prompted the NDP caucus to issue a statement calling Banman’s words an “anti-choice dog whistle.” The BC Green Party also issued a call Wednesday for all party leaders to take a clear stand on abortion access.

Click to play video: 'Access to abortion: the rural-urban divide in B.C.'
Access to abortion: the rural-urban divide in B.C.

BC Conservative Leader John Rustad issued a statement late Thursday accusing the NDP of “grasping at straws” following a recent poll showing the parties neck and neck.

Story continues below advertisement

“The 1988 Supreme Court decision is clear. This is not a provincial issue. No politician at the provincial level can change that decision,” Rustad said.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

That prompted Premier David Eby to fire back on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, that in 2024 “Someone who wants to be Premier of B.C. should be able to say they’re pro-choice.”

Click to play video: 'The B.C. government to fund so-called ‘abortion pill’'
The B.C. government to fund so-called ‘abortion pill’

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon declined to comment on the Conservative party but said his own party’s policies were clear.

“Women have the right to choose, that has been the position of our party for a long time that position has not changed,” he said.

While provinces do not have the power to ban abortion in Canada, they do have significant ability to expand or restrict access through control of health care funding.

Story continues below advertisement

New Brunswick, for example, does not fund surgical abortions outside of hospitals, leaving people seeking a termination with just three choices after the province’s only private clinic closed due to lack of funding.

The provincial government also controls funding for abortion drugs like Mifegymiso.

Women’s health advocates say B.C. already faces significant gaps in access to abortion care, with virtually all services offered in urban centres.

Click to play video: 'New Brunswick medical groups call for greater abortion access following Clinic 554 closure'
New Brunswick medical groups call for greater abortion access following Clinic 554 closure

Sponsored content

AdChoices