Tax-Funded Abortions FAQs

Canadians are being asked to consider alternate forms of health care delivery due to escalation costs.
Abortion should be de-insured because women choose to have abortions for personal reasons, not medical reasons. Polls consistently show that the majority of Canadians support de-insuring abortions.

Why are Nova Scotians paying for abortion-on-demand?

Jusr how many are we paying for?

Who decides if abortions are paid for?

Is abortion good health?

Myth:

The Canada Health Act requires provinces to pay for abortions.

Fact - The Canada Health Act says that provinces must fund medically necessary services. The act does not mention abortion or any other services as being medically necessary.

On March 8th, 2001, Health Canada stated in a letter:
"This is further to your request under the Access to Information Act, dated August 1, 2000, for: Documents, reports and correspondence in the department that provide evidence that abortions are "medically necessary". I regret to inform you that after a thorough search of all likely record holdings, departmental officials have confirmed that they have no records relevant to your request."

For information on the Canada Health Act: www.canada.gc.ca

Myth:

The federal government provides the provinces with a list of medically necessary services that they must fund.

Fact - Provinces decide what services are medically necessary and will therefore be funded through the health care system.

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, headed by Liberal Michael Kirby, states in its interim report, of March 2001, that:
"the determination of what services meet the requirement of medical necessity is made in each province by the provincial government in conjunction with the medical profession."

In a letter dated July 10, 2002, Canada's Justice Minister, The Honorable Martin Cauchon states:
"The delivery of abortion services is currently regulated through the provincial governments' responsibility for the delivery of health care services."

Myth:

The Supreme Court of Canada has said taxpayers must pay for abortions.

Fact -There has not been any court ruling on who should pay for abortions.
The Supreme Court Of Canada and courts in various provinces have addressed issues relating to abortion - but none of them has concluded that taxpayers must fund abortions. On the contrary, pertinent discussions tend to support the authority of provincial governments to determine which abortions, if any, taxpayers will pay for.

Vancouver lawyer Joshua Hauser has reviewed the summary of abortion case law compiled by Alberta lawyer Mark McCourt, and concludes:

"It is very rarely necessary to abort a fetus to save a pregnant mother's life, and few... pregnancies can fairly be called 'medically necessary'. Nothing in Canada's abortion case law prevents ... from recognizing that abortions - all but a tiny percentage if not all - are done as an expensive form of 'birth control'. Nothing in Canada's abortion case law prevents ... from de-insuring those abortions and freeing Nova Scotian taxpayers from the burden of paying for them.

Myth:

Doctors decide which procedures are medically necessary and therefore paid for by taxpayers.

 Fact - When asked whether doctors are consulted on which procedures are medically necessary and therefore funded by taxpayers, Dr. Jim Lane, Past President of the B C Medical Association stated:
"De-insuring of medical procedures is often done for economic and political reasons. Physicians are consulted when a new procedures are considered for coverage. The final decisions are made by government.

Myth:

Most abortions are done for medical reasons.

Fact - Almost all abortions are done became women ask for them, not because a doctor recommends them. The Canadian Abortion Rights Action League (CARAL) president Marilyn Wilson, told a Commons Finance Committee on October 31st, 2001, that women seek abortions,
"...for socioeconomic reasons. Sometimes it is desire to complete their education and become financially independent. In many cases, couples with children wish to restrict their family size in order to provide adequate financial support."
Abortion is rarely or ever done for medical reasons. It's a personal choice.

SO JUST HOW MANY ABORTIONS ARE WE PAYING FOR?

  • In 2001, 1,941 abortions were reported in NS.
  • 1/3 of all abortions are performed on women who have had one or more previous abortion.
  • 50% of women who have abortions are between 20 - 35 years old
  • using Pro-choice estimates for hospitals and clinic abortions, de-funding would save taxpayers of NS $1,067,550 per year.
  • In eleven years the direct cost for abortions in Nova Scotia would be $14,400.000.00. Yes, 14 million dollars. This amount does not reflect medical cost due to extended hospital stays or more complicated procedures or post abortion problems both medical and psychological.
Source: Statistics Canada and NS Vital Statistics

Myth:

Abortion is a safe procedure.

 Fact: Abortion has a number of complications and side effects both physical and psychological.

In late 70's, the Bagley Commission, appointed by the federal government, conducted two background papers that found women who had abortions were more likely to experience physical and mental health problems that women who carried their babies to term.

More recently 28 of 37 studies conducted around the world have found a link between breast cancer and abortion. In addition, there are complications such as excessive bleeding and perforated utereus.
Source: www.abortionbreastcancer.com
Abortion also increases the risk of subsequent premature and low birth weight births.
Source Vancouver Northside News

Email:
Campaign Life Coalition NS

If you have received a letter from your MLA that Contradicts this information please contact us.