Lancet medical journal slams Canada on abortion

TORONTO – One of the world’s leading medical journals is slamming the federal government’s "conscious decision" not to support groups that undertake abortions in developing countries.

Editors of The Lancet write: "This stance must change… The Canadian Government does not deprive women living in Canada from access to safe abortions; it is therefore hypocritical and unjust that it tries to do so abroad."

The editorial goes on to say that Canada’s position should be challenged by the G8, not "tacitly supported."

"Canada and the other G8 nations could show real leadership with a final maternal health plan that is based on sound scientific evidence and not prejudice."

Canada’s position came to light during a recent G8 pre-summit meeting in Halifax.

Responding to criticism from opposition politicians, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: "We want to make sure our funds are used to save the lives of women and children and are used on the many, many things that are available to us that frankly do not divide the Canadian population."

Harper went on to say, "Frankly, there is not enough money to do all the things we want to do, even in those areas. We will concentrate our efforts on areas where the Canadian people are united and want to see progress."

While the Conservatives have planned to make child and maternal health a key theme of this summer’s G8 Summit, it’s become a fractious issue ever since Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon first suggested abortion would not factor into the discussion.

Although its position puts Canada at odds with other industrialized nations, such as the U.S. and Britain, the Harper government has stood firm on its plan to withhold foreign-aid funding for projects that include abortion.

With a file from Canwest News Service