NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Jan. 26, 2005

Dosanjh on thin legal ground

The following is a response by Peter Ryan, Executive Director of the NB Right to Life Association, to federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh’’s threat to penalize New Brunswick for refusing to pay for private clinic abortions.

"I am not surprised that Mr. Dosanjh is trying to force New Brunswickers to pay for the unnecessary death of some 600 of our province’s children each year. He has been a pro-abortion extremist since his days as NDP Attorney-General in BC when he was in favour of arresting people for peacefully protesting outside abortion clinics.

"As he shamelessly pushes the envelope Mr. Dosanjh is on thin legal ground. New Brunswick is not violating the Canada Health Act. The Act says nothing about abortion. Constitutionally, the federal government has no business dictating to the provinces whether they fund abortion or not.

"The province should stand its ground. The minister is demanding that the province break its own law against funding abortion on demand at private clinics. If necessary the province should fight the feds in court. We have a good case.

"In Henry Morgentaler’s lawsuit the question of whether New Brunswick’s law violates the Canada Health Act is already before the courts. Mr. Dosanjh should leave it there."

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Contact: Peter Ryan 1-888-796-9600 / (506) 459-8990