By Meghan Cobb

Alberta

‘Human rights are never settled’: Rachel Notley reacts to Roe v. Wade

Jun 24, 2022 | 4:22 PM

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley has called the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade “a day many of us hoped we would never see.”

Speaking in Calgary alongside MLAs Kathleen Ganley, Joe Ceci and Irfan Sabir, Notley called the ruling abhorrent.

She said the move destroys generations of progress towards equality for women, girls and all people who become pregnant, adding it would be a mistake to think this isn’t an issue that concerns Albertans.

“The same extremists who have prevailed in the United States today are hard at work here as well,” said Notley. “[Human rights] must always be protected because in the absence of the vigilant protection, human rights will always be attacked, and removed, as they were today.”

Notley is calling on every candidate running in the UCP leadership race to definitively commit to not undermining the fundamental right to reproductive healthcare for women, girls and anyone who can become pregnant.

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“We know that many members of the UCP caucus and cabinet are explicitly supported by anti-choice extremists,” says Notley.

“Anti-abortion politicians cannot be allowed to duck this issue,” she added. “It is both inadequate and dangerous for leaders to say, ‘I am anti-abortion but I won’t impose my view because the matter is settled.’”

According to Notley, that excuse falls short because the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade shows the matter is not settled.

“As we have learned today, it was not settled in the U.S.,” said Notley. “Frankly, human rights are never settled.”

Abortions are available at select Alberta Health Services facilities, but there are only three in the province that provide elective procedures, and they are located in Calgary and Edmonton.