By Canadian Press

No-protest zones around abortion clinics could erode rights: Manitoba premier

Nov 23, 2018 | 12:45 PM

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says an Opposition call to restrict protests around clinics and hospitals that provide abortion services could take away people’s rights and inadvertently prevent protests in favour of expanded abortion services.

Pallister was responding Friday to a private members bill from NDP house leader Nahanni Fontaine.

The proposed law would not allow people to “inform or attempt to inform a person concerning issues related to abortion services” within up to 150 metres of facilities where abortions take place.

The only exceptions would be for people accompanying a woman seeking the service, or for health care workers in the performance of their duties.

There would also be buffer zones around pharmacies that dispense Mifegymiso and the homes of any abortion service provider.

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Fontaine said her bill, based on similar legislation in Alberta and Ontario, would ensure women can get the services they want without being subjected to intimidation or protests.

“This is fundamentally about protecting Manitoba women and girls’ right to access our health care system, which includes accessing abortion,” Fontaine said.

Pallister said Fontaine’s idea would infringe on a basic right.

“She is addressing a problem that in her mind exists for one group, while failing to recognize that there’s a slippery slope here in taking away the freedoms of citizens to exercise their rights to express their views,” Pallister said.

Pallister also said the bill’s wording could be interpreted to include a ban on protests that Fontaine would support.

He later told reporters that if women are being obstructed or harassed in accessing health care services, they already have legal protection.

“We have laws to ensure that people have freedom of movement,” he said. “We have laws to protect people on the streets of our cities and towns.”

The vast majority of opposition bills fail to become law unless they have the support of the government, but Fontaine said the Progressive Conservatives should put aside politics and pass her bill.

She said she has heard from women being subjected to anti-abortion protests and graphic images as they make their way into health care facilities.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press