Federal health minister says N.B. abortion access can be 'difficult,' but is quiet on what Ottawa will do next
Jean-Yves Duclos avoids promising new steps to force province to do more
Jean-Yves Duclos told CBC News he's awaiting a study Ottawa commissioned in 2021 on barriers to access in the province.
"We know that there are cases and places where that right is more difficult to exercise and that's why we made that commitment in the campaign," he said in an interview.
"That's why we are looking at all possible ways to make sure that women in particular have access to these reproductive rights."
The New Brunswick refuses to fund abortions at Fredericton's Clinic 554, a private clinic. (Jon Collicott/CBC)
The province offers abortions up to 13 weeks of pregnancy in three hospitals, two in Moncton and one in Bathurst, funded by Medicare.
It refuses to fund the procedure at Fredericton's Clinic 554, a private clinic. The province says offering it at three hospitals in two cities is enough to meet demand.
Clinic manager Valerya Edelman said Ottawa has been "supportive" by commissioning the study and funding abortion-rights groups, but she's not sure if there's anything else Duclos can do.
"Health care delivery is a provincial matter … it's tricky for the federal government to get too involved in the delivery of health care.
While the building housing Clinic 554 has been sold to a new owner, the clinic is continuing to rent space and provide abortions one day each week for a $700 fee, with financial help available for some patients.
The service is vital, especially in winter when travel to Moncton or Bathurst can be a problem due to weather, Edelman said.
A 'red herring'
The Progressive Conservative government of Blaine Higgs passed legislation in December allowing for some surgeries to be performed in private clinics outside hospitals and billed to Medicare.
A private clinic in Bathurst is now doing publicly funded cataract surgeries, helping to cut down on surgical wait times in hospitals.
Premier
Blaine Higgs now allows some surgeries to be performed in private
clinics outside hospitals and billed to Medicare, though not abortions. (CBC)
In 2020, Higgs said funding abortions in a private clinic would be "a slippery slope. … Does that mean that we should continue to offer more and more services in private clinics and less and less services in public institutions?"
Duclos wouldn't comment on whether the new legislation contradicts the province's refusal to fund abortions at Clinic 554.
Instead he simply noted that New Brunswick is the only province refusing to fund abortions outside hospitals.
"That raises the obvious question of accessibility to those services," he said.
"That's a question to put to the provincial government. It's also something we're very mindful of in working with the province and with community organizations to ensure that in this context women have access to that essential right."
Edelman said the legislation to allow private surgeries shows that Higgs's concerns about private clinics were "a red herring," and it's his personal views driving provincial policy.
"I'm not surprised they are expanding surgeries outside hospitals but not looking at us, at Clinic 554. I'm not surprised at all. Their interest has been always to limit abortion access, period," she said.
Last year Duclos announced $3.5 million for two abortion-rights organizations, including Action Canada, which helps cover travel and accommodation costs for people seeking abortions.
In 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the study of abortion access in New Brunswick, but results have been delayed. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
In the 2019 federal election campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to "ensure" the province funded abortions at private clinics such as Fredericton's Clinic 554.
Trudeau claimed in 2021 that his government had clawed back "millions" of dollars in federal health transfer payments to New Brunswick over limits on access, but the actual amount that year was $140,216.
In the lead-up to another election campaign that year, his government announced the study of abortion access in the province.
The research project would examine gaps and barriers to the service, such as costs, transportation and discrimination and was expected to take 18 months.
Jula
Hughes, a former UNB law professor, is one of the researchers on the
abortion study and says it's not clear how quickly it will be published. (University of New Brunswick)
Former University of New Brunswick law professor Jula Hughes, one of the researchers on the project, said Monday that the report had been delayed, and she now expects to have it finished around June.
Hughes said it's not clear how quickly it will be published.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is suing the province over abortion access, arguing New Brunswick is violating the Constitution and the Canada Health Act.
The province tried in 2021 to have the case thrown out, but a judge ruled the case could go ahead.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peaceful Ambiance
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Frank McKenna in the 90s was the last time the NB Liberal Party had any true New Brunswick convictions. Now they just betray NBers and push this Torontonians ideology on us. Hard to believe they used to be the party that stood up to Morgentaller when he was thirsting after NB’s unborn.
Peaceful Ambiance
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Abortion is legal in this country doesn’t mean that anybody has to agree with it or fund it. I personally think it’s evil and I will never vote for a politician who wants to use taxpayer money to fund it.
Doug Saunders
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oh boy
Morneau was right...most of these MPs selected by Trudeau in the 2nd term are just incompetent.
All talk and photo ops
Lynette Browne
Reply to Peaceful Ambiance
There are alot of things people do to themselves that I am not in favour of. They oftentimes end up needing HC, but I certainly don't go on about it
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Michael Cain
Reply to Don Corey
It is the business of the feds to ensure the Health Act is adhered to.
Don Corey
Reply to Michael Cain
I'm well aware of that. It's also obvious the feds aren't sure if such is indeed the case, or they wouldn't be wasting money on another useless study (that is taking a ridiculously long time.
Brian Gallant initiated the plan to shut down Clinic 554.....he must have felt the Act was being followed. Of course, there's a difference in the way that Ottawa treats the now rare Liberal provincial governments.
Michael Cain
Reply to Don Corey
Contradicting yourself aside, the feds gave the money they held back from the province to UNB to produce the report in an effort to corroborate the need of access to the provincial government. The subject has always been a political hot potato for years. Now this government has a chance to end the issue. The sooner the government gets their nose out of the business of health care the better.
Les Cooper
Reply to Michael Cain
Hes probably Catholic
David Amos
Reply to Les Cooper
The last thing I am is a Catholic but I am married to one I am definitely Pro Life and she and my daughters are Pro Choice My son does not concern himself with the issue but he grateful for his Father's position on this topic for obvious reasons Go Figure
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Hmmm
Daniel Henwell
half the comments seem to be "deactivated". The remaining ones are all in favour of more public money for abortion clinics. Seems like only one side of this debate is tolerated.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Daniel Henwell
Maybe because those who are commenting can't do so in a cogent manner without resorting to personal attacks, mistruths and hyperbole.
Lynette Browne
Reply to Daniel Henwell
The comments "deactivated" were very much anti-abortion, religious-type comments, and not related to how HC funding should be spent.
Randy Lahey
Reply to Lynette Browne
Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are not welcome here apparently 😒
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
What am I chopped liver?
David Amos
Reply to Randy Lahey
Amen
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
David I like you so you get a pass
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
I will always speak in defence of the unborn whether I am running against Liberals or not
Lynette Browne
Reply to Daniel Henwell
Apparently, we are not even allowed to explain to you why the comments were likely removed :). I'd suggest reading the posting above you for clarification :)
stewart benson
Reply to Daniel Henwell
They were not using thier real name pretty simple.
David Amos
Reply to stewart benson
I am
Michael Cain
Reply to Daniel Henwell
There is no debate. Higgs is a hypocrite
David Amos
Reply to Michael Cain
You have to be quick to see it but there is one Hell of a debate
If you don't want an abortion, don't get one. If you want an abortion, it should be more accessible. Stop playing politics with abortion. It's getting old.
David Amos
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What if it was your child the government was aborting?
PersonalFundingForPersonalChoices Yes
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That’s like saying it’s a choice to smoke so the government should fund cigarettes and make them accessible.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to PersonalFundingForPersonalChoices Yes
No it's not. Not even close. Why do anti abortion people have the worst analogies.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
The government doesn't abort babies. Women, who have the right to chose their own medical care do.
David Amos
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Right into the 9 month?
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
Stop with the hyperbole. There are no abortions performed at 9 months in NB.
David Amos
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Clearly you ignored my point for reasons I will never understand
David Amos
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Stop with the hyperbole??? YEA RIGHT
David Amos
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How do you sleep at night?
Daana Scullly
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It’s disturbing that so many people think abortion is somehow a simple act that doesn’t warrant proper scrutiny
David Amos
Reply to Daana Scullly
Ditto
Paul Richardson
Reply to Kyle Woodman
The abortion debate will never stop not matter how "old" you say it is.
I thought Higgs was all in favour of moving as many procedures as possible out of hospitals and into clinics.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to,SarahRose Werner
Only procedures he deems morally acceptable.
David Amos
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Reply to,SarahRose Werner
Go Figure
Garbage Can
1. More doctors signing off on it, which we had until Gallant changed it.
2. No tax payer funding.
3. High school curriculum to teach about it
4. Travel out of province
Then and only then can it be considered a choice. Choice to get doctor approval, choice to pay for it, choice to travel for it, and making these choices once educated about it. How can anyone make a choice if they aren’t knowledgeable about the choice they’re making??
If that’s too difficult then of course there are other more civilized choices in 2023 like birth control pills, adoption etc
Rosemary Hughes
Reply to Garbage Can
Having fun changing persona every 5 minutes?
Garbage Can
Reply to Rosemary Hughes
Doesn’t change the validity of what I’m saying
Rosemary Hughes
Reply to Garbage Can
What you're saying has no validity.
Garbage Can
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Okay so let it stand then. Once I’m allowed to say what I want, I’ll leave it at that.
Rosemary Hughes
Reply to Garbage Can
I'm not flagging you. I'm happy to leave it up. Demonstrates the id iocy of what you're saying.
Garbage Can
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Thank you, I’m fine with you calling it that. Your opinion and you’re entitled to it, no matter how deprived it is.
Rosemary Hughes
Reply to Garbage Can
"Deprived"?
Garbage Can
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Sorry I meant Depraved. And be please not I’m not being rude, I truly think abortion and advocating for it is depraved. I’m fine with you calling my views idiotic so fairs fair.
Rosemary Hughes
Reply to Garbage Can
You can think whatever you please. You cannot impose those "thoughts" on others by attempting to legislate them.
David Amos
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Me Too but you should do your protest with a real name as per the rules
Garbage Can
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Nope, I have many many reasons why I don’t. For one, we don’t live in a free society, we live in one where someone who expressed views that were the norm just 10 years ago are now having those views brought up for public scrutiny, jobs etc in 2023. You obviously disagree, but please stop telling me that I have to follow and respect the rules.you do, fine, I don’t I won’t.
David Amos
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You are very wrong about me but if you do not have a name you are nobody
Garbage Can
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All I said is that you follow and respect the rules. Isn’t that what you are complaining about?
We do not live in a free country and being a loud nobody is preferable to being silent nobody.
David Amos
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How many times have you been falsely imprisoned after running for public office and speaking your mind?
Lynette Browne
Reply to PersonalChoicesShouldBePersonallyFunded Uh Uh huh
David Amos
Reply to Lynette Browne
I concur
So I guess Justin and the Liberal party are in favour of privatized health care if it's to their advantage politically.
David Amos
Reply to Vernon McPhee
Well put
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