Clinic 554 in Fredericton. (Image: Facebook)
A national human rights organization is threatening to sue New Brunswick over access to abortion services in the province.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) said Thursday it has issued a formal letter of demand to the provincial government.
Association members say the province’s restrictions on abortions create “undue hardship on women, girls and trans individuals.”
“We are giving the government a chance to repeal its laws that limit abortion in New Brunswick. But ultimately we expect that this will head to court, in order to ensure fair access to safe and legal abortions in New Brunswick,” said executive director Michael Bryant in a news release.
Only three hospitals in New Brunswick are approved to carry out abortion services: two in Moncton and one in Bathurst. Provincial legislation prevents Medicare from covering abortion procedures performed outside of hospitals.
Clinic 554 in Fredericton, which provided abortion services and health services for the LGBTQ community, closed its doors in September. The clinic said it had no choice because the province refused to fund specialized services like abortions.
The federal government has said it believes the province is breaking the Canada Health Act by not providing out-of-hospital abortions.
The Progressive Conservative government maintains it is providing access to abortions. Premier Blaine Higgs has said if any groups feel otherwise, they have every right to take the province to court.
“Abortion care is critical healthcare and the province’s continued failure to increase access has imposed immeasurable burdens on vulnerable individuals. We’re continuing Dr. Morgentaler’s fight, and are committed to seeing this through,” said Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, the equality program director for CCLA.
CCLA said it will begin legal proceedings should the New Brunswick government fail to eliminate abortion restrictions and create accessible abortions.
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