Tignish-Palmer Road MLA Hal Perry says he is personally pro-life and so is the majority of his constituents. That’s why he says he was not in favour of changing P.E.I.’s policy of sending Island women out-of-province for abortion services.
“I was disappointed with the announcement yesterday regarding abortion services being performed here on Prince Edward Island,” Perry said Friday.
“I was shocked at first. I honestly didn’t see this coming.”
Sources have told The Guardian the issue was heavily debated at a Liberal caucus meeting after Premier Wade MacLauchlan brought it forward for discussion.
But the decision had already been made by cabinet that P.E.I. would not fight a Charter challenge about to be filed in Supreme Court and would move to provide abortion services in the province.
Perry says he voiced his concerns, and those of his constituents, and he was not the only one who spoke out against the idea.
But in the end, they were overruled.
“I did oppose this, I made sure my voice was heard, that my constituents’ voice was heard loud and clear. The constituents in District 27 are disappointed with this announcement.”
On the other side of the house, Opposition Leader Jamie Fox also appeared uncomfortable.
When asked whether he supported government’s change in abortion policy, Fox tiptoed around the issue.
“I totally respect the Supreme Court and the ruling that they have provided in regards to this being a Constitutional issue and that there is an obligation for all provinces to provide services,” Fox said.
“My personal stance is I am pro-life, however I do acknowledge that this is a personal issue and that there are circumstances that could possibly cause different outcomes.”
Fox said he believes there are other reproductive health services needed for women in P.E.I., and he was happy the province’s announcement included a pledge for a women’s reproductive health centre.
“There’s a lot more issues in regards to personal services to women and to ladies that need also to be dealt with, and what I see here is the province is hopefully moving in a path and a direction to deal with these.”
Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker has been championing the issue of abortion access and for a fuller range of reproductive health services for Island women.
He said he was relieved when he heard Thursday that government would finally provide abortion services in P.E.I. for the first time in almost 35 years.
“It’s a long overdue decision and I’m just happy and relieved that it’s come,” Bevan-Baker said.
While recognizing this offered the Liberal government an easy out on a politically divisive issue, Bevan-Baker said he is disappointed it took a legal challenge to force the province to provide this health service to Island women.
He added this disappointment extends back to governments going back decades.
“I think there should have been more political leadership 10, 25, 30 years ago. I think it’s quite shameful that it has taken this long for a government to bring us into line with national standards.”
NDP Leader Mike Redmond and his party have also long been advocating for abortion services for P.E.I., and said the government’s change in policy is “fantastic news.”
When the announcement came Thursday, Redmond said his thoughts were with stalwart former party member Jane Dunphy, who died last month.
“My immediate reaction was to think that Jane would be smiling in heaven right now, as someone who fought so hard for women’s rights and abortion services in P.E.I.,” Redmond said.
“I would have loved to have her in the room to hear the announcement. And for of all the women in the NDP and all those women across the Island who fought for equal access, it’s a great day for Island women.”
[email protected] One Liberal MLA in P.E.I. is speaking out against his own government’s decision to finally provide abortions services in Prince Edward Island.Tignish-Palmer Road MLA Hal Perry says he is personally pro-life and so is the majority of his constituents. That’s why he says he was not in favour of changing P.E.I.’s policy of sending Island women out-of-province for abortion services.
“I was disappointed with the announcement yesterday regarding abortion services being performed here on Prince Edward Island,” Perry said Friday.
“I was shocked at first. I honestly didn’t see this coming.”
Sources have told The Guardian the issue was heavily debated at a Liberal caucus meeting after Premier Wade MacLauchlan brought it forward for discussion.
But the decision had already been made by cabinet that P.E.I. would not fight a Charter challenge about to be filed in Supreme Court and would move to provide abortion services in the province.
Perry says he voiced his concerns, and those of his constituents, and he was not the only one who spoke out against the idea.
But in the end, they were overruled.
“I did oppose this, I made sure my voice was heard, that my constituents’ voice was heard loud and clear. The constituents in District 27 are disappointed with this announcement.”
On the other side of the house, Opposition Leader Jamie Fox also appeared uncomfortable.
When asked whether he supported government’s change in abortion policy, Fox tiptoed around the issue.
“I totally respect the Supreme Court and the ruling that they have provided in regards to this being a Constitutional issue and that there is an obligation for all provinces to provide services,” Fox said.
“My personal stance is I am pro-life, however I do acknowledge that this is a personal issue and that there are circumstances that could possibly cause different outcomes.”
Fox said he believes there are other reproductive health services needed for women in P.E.I., and he was happy the province’s announcement included a pledge for a women’s reproductive health centre.
“There’s a lot more issues in regards to personal services to women and to ladies that need also to be dealt with, and what I see here is the province is hopefully moving in a path and a direction to deal with these.”
Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker has been championing the issue of abortion access and for a fuller range of reproductive health services for Island women.
He said he was relieved when he heard Thursday that government would finally provide abortion services in P.E.I. for the first time in almost 35 years.
“It’s a long overdue decision and I’m just happy and relieved that it’s come,” Bevan-Baker said.
While recognizing this offered the Liberal government an easy out on a politically divisive issue, Bevan-Baker said he is disappointed it took a legal challenge to force the province to provide this health service to Island women.
He added this disappointment extends back to governments going back decades.
“I think there should have been more political leadership 10, 25, 30 years ago. I think it’s quite shameful that it has taken this long for a government to bring us into line with national standards.”
NDP Leader Mike Redmond and his party have also long been advocating for abortion services for P.E.I., and said the government’s change in policy is “fantastic news.”
When the announcement came Thursday, Redmond said his thoughts were with stalwart former party member Jane Dunphy, who died last month.
“My immediate reaction was to think that Jane would be smiling in heaven right now, as someone who fought so hard for women’s rights and abortion services in P.E.I.,” Redmond said.
“I would have loved to have her in the room to hear the announcement. And for of all the women in the NDP and all those women across the Island who fought for equal access, it’s a great day for Island women.”
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