Could controversial abortion laws come to Canada?

It has been 31 years since abortion was legalized in Canada, but as Courtney Theriault reports, the demographics of abortion opponents in this country are shifting, and experts say they are making efforts to rebrand the movement.

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Abortion laws are making headlines in the United States after a pair of recent ones essentially ban the procedure.

One of the bills in Alabama bans abortions after six weeks and there is even the potential for doctors to be held criminally responsible for performing an abortion at any point.

Mount Royal University Political Scientist, Lori Williams says there are many groups calling for these strict laws to be enforced in Canada, but the appetite is different here.

“The difference is their numbers and their strategies are not such that they are having the kind of the impact in the United States — so in the United States, a state legislature can legislate on this, in Canada a province cannot,” said Williams.

Williams also points out that Canadian politicians shy away from criminalization.

“Healthcare and educational approaches are going to be more effective and again for most people generally, there are some circumstances under which abortion would be, although not a particularly palatable option, is an acceptable option.”

Williams cites Scandinavia as of example where abortion rates have decreased over the years, which has also happened in Canada.

-with files from CityNews

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