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BC Abortion protesters' appeal denied
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by Tina Kells | September 5, 2008 at 07:35 am
159 views | 10 Recommendations | 1 comment
The BC Court of Appeal has rejected an application by two men claiming that the province's Access to Abortion Services Act violated their right to protest as guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The decision came down late yesterday and has been applauded by Pro-Choice activists and BC Attorney-General Wally Oppal.
"This means that women will be able to access a medical procedure in a private, dignified and respectful manner, and that staff members will be able to go to work without being harassed on a regular basis," Jill Doctoroff, director of the Elizabeth Bagshaw Women's Clinic, said yesterday at a news conference in Vancouver. The clinic is part of a coalition that was one of four intervenors in the appeal.
Provincial Attorney-General Wally Oppal also welcomed the ruling.
"We're pleased with the result. The Crown conceded that this legislation [B.C.'s Access to Abortion Services Act] is an infringement of freedom of expression but it's justifiable, it serves a legitimate purpose in a free and democratic society," Mr. Oppal said in a telephone interview from Quebec.
"We think this is a good decision in the best interests of women in the province."
The decision is a disappointment to Pro-Life supporters in the province. BC enacted the law during the post-VanderZalm era, a time when abortion services were seriously cutrailed in the province.
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at 15:25 on September 5th, 2008
I'm glad the women has the freedom to have an abortion if they decided to do it, but of course between some limits.
If the woman life is not in risk and she decided to have an abortion after lets say 7 month pregnant, she is going to far in my opinion.