National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter
| News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, Vicki Saporta. |
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We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was a dedicated physician who provided quality abortion care to women, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. Dr. Tiller’s office is filled with letters from women, thanking him for the excellent, compassionate care he provided. Many of these women say Dr. Tiller saved their lives.
Since his tragic death, we have received messages from some of his patients and from people around the world who are saddened and outraged. We feel it is important to share these words and tributes to our beloved colleague and friend. For the first time, we will enable comments on our blog so that all of you can share your condolences or offer memories of Dr. Tiller. We invite you to join us in honoring a true American hero, Dr. George Tiller.
Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller
Government of New Brunswick Will Not Appeal Morgentaler Ruling
This week, the provincial government of New Brunswick announced that it will not appeal the May 21 court decision granting NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler legal standing to challenge the province's restrictive policy on abortion funding.This official acceptance of the May 21 appeals court decision means that Dr. Morgentaler's lawsuit can move forward in court. He is suing the provincial government over its policy of only funding abortions if two physicians deem the procedure is medically necessary and if it is provided in a hospital. Abortion is a safe, legal, insured, and funded service in Canada, meaning that women should not have to pay for abortion care. New Brunswick is the only province to enforce these restrictive policies. >Learn more about Dr. Morgentaler's case and New Brunswick's restrictive abortion policy. Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler, funding
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Appeals Court Upholds Morgentaler’s Right to Challenge Abortion Policy
Yesterday, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal dismissed the province’s appeal of a recent Court of Queen’s Bench ruling that gave NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler standing to challenge New Brunswick's restrictive policy on abortion funding. Chief Justice Ernest Drapeau wrote in the decision that, “neither the Province’s primary nor its alternative contention comes close to passing muster.” The Court of Appeal was unable to find “even a hint of reversible error” and dismissed New Brunswick’s appeal. The Court also ordered the province to pay Dr. Morgentaler $5,000. The New Brunswick government is currently reviewing the decision. Dr. Morgentaler is suing the New Brunswick government for its refusal to fund abortions at his clinic. According to Canadian law, an individual must have standing in order to bring a case forward. New Brunswick prosecutors have repeatedly challenged Dr. Morgentaler’s standing due to the fact that he is not a woman. >Learn more about this case and New Brunswick’s restrictive abortion policy. Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler, New Brunswick
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Celebrating 21 Years of Legalized Abortion in Canada
Today we celebrate the 21st anniversary of R v. Morgentaler, which struck down Canada's abortion law as unconstitutional and decriminalized abortion. The lives and health of countless women have been saved by this landmark decision. Before this ruling, it is estimated that 35,000 to 120,000 illegal abortions took place each year, and we may never know the actual number of women who were injured or died as a result of back alley or self-induced abortions. This decision has had a lasting impact on the legal landscape in Canada and would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler. In 1969, Dr. Morgentaler defied the law and opened the first Canadian freestanding abortion clinic in Montreal. For the next 20 years he continued to fight the system and even served prison time for providing women with safe abortion care. At tremendous risk to his life and personal safety, Dr. Morgentaler remained committed to liberalizing Canada’s abortion law and continued to speak out for women’s reproductive freedom. Last year Dr. Morgentaler was appointed to the Order of Canada for his willingness to "put himself at risk in his determined drive to increase health care options for Canadian women." While today is a day to celebrate the Morgentaler decision and the fact that Canada is one of only a few countries without a federal law restricting abortion, it is also a time to reflect on the barriers to access women continue to face 21 years later. Even though abortion is considered a safe, legal, and insured service, access is variable across the country. For example: · Since the majority of abortion care is provided in urban centres, women living in rural communities often face challenges in accessing care. Prince Edward Island does not even have an abortion provider in the entire province. · Unsound provincial policies in New Brunswick prevent a woman from obtaining a publicly funded abortion unless the abortion is provided by an obstetrician-gynecologist, in a hospital, and only after two doctors have approved that it is medically necessary. · Throughout the country, abortion is the only time-sensitive and medically necessary procedure excluded from the list of services on the inter-provincial billing agreement. Although we have great cause to celebrate today, now more than ever, it is important that we do not lose sight of the women who continue to face obstacles in order to obtain the abortion care they need. >See my op/ed in the Toronto Star commemorating this landmark decision. Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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New Brunswick Court of Appeal Hears Arguments in Morgentaler Case
Tuesday, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal heard remarks by the provincial government in NAF Member Dr. Henry Morgentaler’s lawsuit challenging the province’s restrictive policy on abortion funding. Current New Brunswick law dictates that a woman can only obtain a funded abortion if it is provided by an obstetrician-gynecologist, in a hospital, and only after two doctors have approved that it is medically necessary. Canadian law requires that an individual have standing before bringing a case to court. This week’s appeal is a challenge to an August 2008 ruling, which granted Dr. Morgentaler standing to pursue his case against the New Brunswick government. Government prosecutors continue to challenge Dr. Morgentaler’s standing due to the fact that he is not a woman affected by this policy. After hearing arguments on Tuesday, the three-judge panel reserved their decision until a later date. >Learn more about access to abortion in Canada.Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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NAF Member Dr. Henry Morgentaler Receives Order of Canada
Today, NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler received the Order of Canada at a ceremony in Quebec City. We are extremely proud of Dr. Morgentaler and congratulate him on this great honor. Dr. Morgentaler exemplifies the ideals and principles of the Order of Canada with his lifetime commitment to women’s reproductive freedom. In advance of today’s ceremony, the Governor General's office hailed him for not hesitating to " put himself at risk in his determined drive to increase health care options for Canadian women." Canadians owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for standing up for women’s lives and health at great personal sacrifice and risk. Throughout his career, Dr. Morgentaler has received numerous awards, including an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario and a scholarship named in his honour by the Canadian Federation of Sexual Health. The National Abortion Federation (NAF), the professional association of abortion providers in Canada and United States, has awarded Dr. Morgentaler its highest honour, the Christopher Tietze Humanitarian Award, as well as a special award designating him a National Treasure. Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler, honors
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Majority of Canadians Support Dr. Morgentaler’s Award
Two out of three Canadians either support or somewhat support NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler’s appointment to the Order of Canada, according to an opinion poll released this week. The poll, conducted for Canwest News Services and Global National, showed 65% of Canadians supported the decision, with women, Quebecers, and people under age 35 as being most likely to favor Morgentaler’s award. "Two-thirds support is very solid," said John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos Reid, the polling firm that conducted the survey. According to the Governor General's website, Morgentaler was made a member of the Order of Canada for "his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations." Following the announcement last week, abortion opponents have asked the Governor General to revoke this award. Today, Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD) has launched a petition to urge the Governor General to stand firm by her decision to award Morgentaler with this honor. > Learn more about Dr. Morgentaler’s appointment to the Order of Canada.>Sign ACPD’s petition.Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler, poll
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NAF Member Dr. Henry Morgentaler Awarded Order of Canada
We are extremely pleased that Dr. Henry Morgentaler has been awarded the Order of Canada. Dr. Morgentaler exemplifies the ideals and principles of the Order of Canada with his lifetime commitment to women’s reproductive freedom. Canadians owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for standing up for women’s lives and health at great personal sacrifice and risk. Dr. Morgentaler, a survivor of the Holocaust, has made a positive lasting impact on the lives and health of Canadian women for more than 40 years as a physician and advocate. He came forward publicly in 1967 and testified that women should have access to safe and legal abortion care at a time when abortion was illegal and countless women were sacrificing their lives and health to end an unplanned pregnancy. In 1988, Dr. Morgentaler won a significant victory for Canadian women in the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Morgentaler, the ruling that decriminalized abortion in Canada. This landmark decision changed the legal landscape in Canada, and was named one of the most important and influential Charter cases of the last 25 years. Dr. Morgentaler’s determination and tireless efforts on behalf of women have never ceased. He has survived numerous threats on his life, a clinic bombing, prison, and constant harassment by protesters. Despite challenges and obstacles, Dr. Morgentaler has persevered, and he continues to provide leadership in the current struggle to ensure that women have access to funded abortion care. Throughout his career, Dr. Morgentaler has received numerous awards, including an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario and a scholarship named in his honour by the Canadian Federation of Sexual Health. The National Abortion Federation (NAF), the professional association of abortion providers in Canada and United States, has awarded Dr. Morgentaler its highest honour, the Christopher Tietze Humanitarian Award, as well as a special award designating him a National Treasure. Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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Dr. Henry Morgentaler Honoured by Canadian Labour Congress
Today, the Canadian Labour Congress awarded NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler with its highest honour, the Award for Outstanding Service to Humanity, for his work to promote health and equality for women. “ It is more than fitting that as we celebrate Dr. Morgentaler’s historic legal victory for women in the Supreme Court of Canada 20 years ago – we honour his amazing contribution to the advancement of human rights, women’s equality, and progressive change,” Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, told delegates. For more than 40 years, Dr. Morgentaler has worked as a physician and advocate for women’s reproductive freedom. He was one of the first doctors to provide abortion care in Canada and won a significant victory for Canadian women in the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Morgentaler, the ruling that decriminalized abortion in Canada in 1988. >Learn more about legal abortion in Canada.Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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Support Dr. Morgentaler
The Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour, was established to recognize outstanding lifetime achievement and service. Please sign this petition to the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada, which has repeatedly overlooked Dr. Morgentaler for this distinguished award. Take Action Now: http://www.nafresources.org/petition_can.htmlAbout Dr. Morgentaler:Dr. Morgentaler, a survivor of the Holocaust, has made a positive lasting impact on the lives and health of Canadian women for more than 40 years as a physician and advocate. He came forward publicly in 1967 and testified that women should have access to safe and legal abortion care at a time when abortion was illegal and countless women were sacrificing their lives and health to end an unplanned pregnancy. For his beliefs and actions to ensure safe abortion care, he was imprisoned. In 1988, Dr. Morgentaler won a significant victory for Canadian women in the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Morgentaler, the ruling that decriminalized abortion in Canada. This landmark decision, that changed the legal landscape in Canada, was named one of the most important and influential Charter cases of the last 25 years. Dr. Morgentaler’s determination and tireless efforts on behalf of women have never ceased. Now in his eighties, he continues to provide leadership in current struggles to ensure that women have access to funded abortion care. He has received several awards in his lifetime, but Canada’s highest award has never been bestowed upon him. This is a significant omission. Labels: access, Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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20 Years of Legal Abortion in Canada
Today I am featured as a guest blogger on RH Reality Check. View my post on the 20th Anniversary of the R v. Morgentaler decision and our recent symposium in Canada. >Learn more about abortion access in Canada.Labels: access, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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Today Marks 20 Years of Safe, Legal Abortion Care in Canada
Today we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of R v. Morgentaler, the Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion by striking down Canada's abortion law as unconstitutional. Since then, Canada has become one of a small number of countries without a federal law restricting abortion.
The Morgentaler decision has undoubtedly protected the health and saved the lives of countless Canadian women. However, as we reflect on this decision’s impact, we are reminded that in some provinces and territories women are still denied equal access to abortion care. Even though abortion is considered a safe, legal, and insured service, access is variable across the country. For example: - There are no abortion services available in Prince Edward Island.
- In New Brunswick, a woman can only obtain a publicly funded abortion if provided by an ob/gyn in a hospital with written approval from two doctors.
- Abortion is not part of the inter-provincial billing agreement. Therefore students attending school in another province, or women who have recently moved and are in the process of transitioning their health care benefits, are forced to pay the full cost of their abortion care or incur additional expenses traveling back to their home province. Abortion is the only time sensitive service that is de-listed and its exclusion remains a significant barrier to care for many women.
- The majority of abortion care is provided in urban centres. Women living in rural communities often face challenges in accessing care.
Now more than ever, it is important that we don’t lose sight of the women who continue to face these obstacles in order to obtain the abortion care they need. We must continue to work together to ensure that women have the same access to abortion care regardless of where they live. It is critical to the lives and health of Canadian women that abortion is safe, legal, and accessible. We must remain vigilant in preserving reproductive freedom so that we never have to return to the days of back alley abortions where our sisters, mothers, and friends had to risk their health—and sometimes even their lives—to end an unwanted pregnancy. Labels: access, Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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Dr. Henry Morgentaler Honoured by the National Abortion Federation
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) presented a special award to Dr. Henry Morgentaler during NAF’s Annual Meeting held last month in Boston. Canadian women owe Dr. Morgentaler a tremendous debt of gratitude for standing up for their lives and health at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is a legend, a hero, and a national treasure in both our countries. Dr. Morgentaler challenged the Canadian criminal code by founding the first free standing abortion clinic in Canada. He was tried and jailed for providing safe abortion care to women. His challenges eventually led to the 1988 landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision that gave women the right to obtain abortion care. When Canada’s top Charter experts compiled a list of the most important and influential Charter cases, not surprisingly R. v. Morgentaler was included. Since then, Dr. Morgentaler has worked to increase women’s access to quality abortion care in Canada. He has survived numerous threats on his life, a clinic bombing, and constant protests. Dr. Morgentaler has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years, including NAF’s highest honour, the Christopher Tietze Humanitarian Award. The Tietze Award honours significant, lifetime contributions in the field of abortion care or policy. Dr. Morgentaler’s determination and tireless efforts on behalf of Canadian women have never ceased. He has changed the legal landscape in Canada. And, he continues to provide leadership in current struggles to ensure that women have access to publicly funded abortion care. Labels: access, Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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New Brunswick Court Hears Arguments in Morgentaler Case
 A New Brunswick judge heard arguments Wednesday to determine if NAF Member Dr. Henry Morgentaler has standing to bring his latest court challenge against the government. Dr. Morgentaler is suing the New Brunswick government for its refusal to fund abortions at his clinic. According to Canadian law, an individual must have standing in order to bring a case forward. New Brunswick prosecutors have challenged Dr. Morgentaler’s standing due to the fact that he is not a woman.
In Canada, access to health services is guaranteed by the Canada Health Act. Abortion is funded under provincial and territorial health plans, and coverage varies regionally. In New Brunswick, in order to have a publicly funded abortion, a woman has to have approval from two doctors and obtain abortion care in a hospital. Only two hospitals in the province offer abortion care, which is not sufficient to meet the needs of women. Therefore, more than half the women who need abortion care in New Brunswick, get their care at the Morgentaler Clinic. The government’s refusal to fund abortions provided in a clinic setting is in direct violation of the 1988 Supreme Court decision, which decriminalized abortion in Canada.
"The women of New Brunswick are entitled to medically safe abortions that are covered by medicare," Dr. Morgentaler wrote last year. "The government has not only refused to cover abortions at the Morgentaler Clinic, it has not taken the appropriate action to advise the medical profession, nor New Brunswick women seeking abortion services, where this essential service will be available."
>Learn more about access to abortion in Canada.Labels: access, Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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Abortion Rights Groups Call on New Brunswick to Enact Security Measures to Protect Abortion Providers, Clinics, and their Patients
Here is the press release we issued today:The National Abortion Federation (NAF), New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women (ACSW) and the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) are calling on Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Thomas J. Burke, Q.C., to introduce legislation to establish an access zone around facilities providing abortion services, residences of doctors and service providers, and doctors’ offices in New Brunswick. Similar legislation has already been enacted in British Columbia which created an access zone around the boundaries of abortion clinics. Abortion clinics and providers in Canada have been targeted for violence and harassment by anti-abortion extremists,” said Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of NAF. “We urge New Brunswick to follow the lead of British Columbia and enact legislation to protect patients, providers and the communities in which they live.” Establishing an access zone is extremely important for the Morgentaler Clinic in Fredericton, where there is no patient parking on site. Patients must park across the street in a parking lot and walk to the clinic. “On days abortion services are provided, protestors march outside the clinic carrying signs designed to discourage women from entering. Our patients have made their choice and do not deserve to be intimidated or harassed,“ said Simone Leibovitch, Manager of the Fredericton Morgentaler Clinic and member of ARCC. “Volunteer escorts are recruited to assist women as they enter and leave the Clinic.” Although protesters are not allowed on private property, there was recently an incident with protesters when the police had to be called when protesters have come onto the clinic’s property. "If New Brunswick had access zone protection, anti-choice demonstrators could not continue their unacceptable interference. Women who access this legal health care service and the staff who provide it must be treated with respect for their dignity and privacy," affirmed Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, ACSW Chairperson. Labels: access, anti-choice, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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Nineteen Years of Reproductive Freedom in Canada
Sunday marked the 19th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada case that struck down Canada’s abortion law as unconstitutional, and made Canada one of the few countries without a law restricting abortion. The Chronicle Herald featured a profile of NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler and his involvement with this landmark case.
Abortion is among the health services guaranteed by the Canada Health Act and is funded under provincial and territorial health plans. However, access is variable across the country and women in New Brunswick lack the same access to publicly funded abortion care as women in the rest of Canada. NAF has been actively working in New Brunswick to improve women’s access to reproductive health care services.
>Learn more about access to abortion in Canada.Labels: access, Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler
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