On February 28, 2025, Nova Scotia Liberal MLA Iain Rankin introduced Bill 56: Harvey’s Law.If the name sounds familiar, that’s because we shared about a similar bill, Harvey and Gurvir’s Law, when it was introduced in Ontario in 2021. We also shared when another MLA introduced Harvey’s Law as Bill 440 in Nova Scotia in 2024.
Harvey’s Law (Bill 56) would require the Minister of Health and Wellness to ensure that up-to-date, evidence-based information on Down syndrome is available to members of the public. This information would include elements such as life expectancy, cognitive and physical development, and education and psychosocial outcomes for people with Down syndrome. It would also include information about resources and supports available to those who have a family member with Down syndrome. Further, health professionals would be required to share this information with expectant parents if communicating a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
Irving introduced this bill in response to a local family’s difficulty getting balanced information after learning that their pre-born son, Harvey, had Down syndrome. Following the prenatal diagnosis, Harvey’s mother Sarah was referred for multiple tests. Abortion was strongly recommended. She was repeatedly told by health professionals about the things Harvey would be unable to do if he was born.
Harvey’s Law would be a positive step in prioritizing support for families of children with Down syndrome and helping people see ability rather than disability. In a culture that so readily aborts pre-born children with Down syndrome, Canadians need to change their mindset about fetal abnormalities. People need to know that children with Down syndrome are valued, and that there are supports for challenges that may arise from living with this difference.
We hope to see this bill pass in Nova Scotia and see similar bills introduced in provincial legislatures across the country. If we better value pre-born children with fetal abnormalities it will also better reflect the equal value and worth of born Canadians living with various differences in ability.
If you live in Nova Scotia, take a minute to send your MLA a SimpleMail asking them to support Harvey’s Law (Bill 56). And if you live in another part of Canada, ask your MLA or MPP to introduce similar legislation in your province.
You can read more about the Canadian handling of prenatal diagnoses in our position paper on Aborting Those Who Are Different.