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PETITION FOR THE DEFUNDING OF ABORTION

TO: THE FEDERAL HEALTH MINISTER
FROM: CITIZENS OF CANADA
SUBJECT: ENDING PUBLIC FUNDING FOR MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY ABORTIONS
DATE: 4/28/02

THE UNDERSIGNED CITIZENS OF CANADA DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THE MINISTER TO THE FOLLOWING:

The Canada Health Act requires the public funding of medically necessary services and procedures.

Currently we have too few dollars spread too thin over too many services, many of which are not necessary.

Abortion is not medically necessary. 95\% of abortions are for social or financial reasons. The Canada Health Act is not required to pay for a service just because it is legal.

In working toward eliminating some of the strain on our health care system (i.e. long waiting lists, lack of beds, etc.), we would rather see all resources go toward services that are necessary rather than being tied up in those which are non-essential or politically motivated.

It makes no difference which side of the abortion issue you are on. Ending public funding for abortion under the status quo (abortion for any reason or for no reason) has nothing to do with taking sides on the debate or denying anyone their rights. Polls indicate that most Canadians are opposed to publicly funded abortion.

In its ruling on January 28, 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada found no absolute right to abortion and stated that Parliament has the right to pass laws regulating abortion (including delisting it as a publicly funded procedure). We want to see debate opened up on this matter and laws passed to end the practice of abortion on demand at the expense of taxpayers. Again, to do so does not compromise the legality of abortion rights.

The problems affecting our health care system are many and complicated. The greatest issue is probably a lack of financial resources. One step to take to help free up resources is to de-fund abortion and keep the Canada Health Act on track to do that which it was intended to do help sick people.

We ask that the federal health minister and Parliament consider this urgent matter.