NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release                                                                                 March 16, 2006 

Big Drop in NB Abortions in 2003 

Yesterday Statistics Canada released abortion figures for 2003. There were 991 abortions in New Brunswick, compared to 1062 in 2002. That’s a drop of 9%. 

“The drop is because Moncton Hospital stopped performing abortion on demand at the end of 2002,” said Peter Ryan of the New Brunswick Right to Life Association. There were a total of 389 hospital abortions in 2003, vs. 615 in 2002. 

“The drop is a victory for life,” said Ryan. “Every time a child is born, it’s good news for the world.” said Ryan.

 “Yet I still have a heavy heart. 991 abortions is no mere statistic, it’s 991 human tragedies. Imagine if these pregnancies had resulted in live births. We would have 991 more little kids in our province. What a wonderful thing that would be.”

 Ryan says that almost all NB abortions are now done at two facilities in Fredericton: the Morgentaler Clinic and the Chalmers Hospital. The number of clinic abortions rose to 602 in 2003 from 447 in 2002.

 “These abortions at both the clinic and hospital are performed on demand, not on the basis of medical necessity,” said Ryan. The Association contends the Chalmers Hospital is violating the Canada Health Act by billing for medically unnecessary procedures.

 “Despite the overall drop in numbers, as a province we are still failing women and children. They deserve better than abortion. So much needs to be done.”

 The number of Canadian abortions fell in 2003 to 104,248 from 105,535 in 2002.

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Contact:      Peter Ryan (506) 459-8990 or 1-888-797-9600