Conservatives delegates vote to delete abortion clause

For immediate release

August 24, 2018

Halifax, NS – Delegates at the Conservative National Policy Convention happening now in Halifax, NS have just voted in favour deleting Article 65 from the policy handbook. The policy dates back to the Harper era and states: “A Conservative Government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion.”
The policy, which was one of two dealing with Article 65, will now advance to the plenary session on Saturday afternoon.

“We are thankful that delegates have chosen the more prudent way forward,” said We Need a Law spokesperson Mike Schouten. “While we certainly support in principle the resolution which was seeking to modify Article 65 into a pro-life policy, we are confident that simply removing the article will ultimately be more beneficial in advancing pre-born human rights.”

Article 65 doesn’t reflect the reality inside the Conservative party which includes those with a variety of opinions and which has promised their members free votes on matters of conscience. Deleting 65 updates the Conservative’s policy to represent its actual stance. “We are optimistic that Article 65 will be deleted,” said Tabitha Ewert legal counsel for We Need a Law. “It’s a resolution that anyone in the party can support. It doesn’t tie the party to a specific legislative option but allows the conversation to continue among the party. Something the party wants.”

Canada is the only democracy in the world to leave pre-born children unprotected throughout all 40 weeks of pregnancy. Polling shows that the majority of Canadians are unaware of this, and assume there is a point at which abortion is illegal.