Sask. Party candidate backtracks

LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE WALKS BACK COMMENT ON ABORTION FOR RAPE VICTIMS

A candidate for premier of Saskatchewan is walking back his anti-abortion comments while some female politicians and women’s groups say abortion should no longer be up for political debate.

Saskatchewan Party legislature member Ken Cheveldayoff told The Canadian Press on Wednesday that he believes life begins at conception and that abortions should be restricted only to women whose lives are in jeopardy. He was then asked about victims of sexual assault.

“No,” he said. “I think it’s when the life of the mother is in jeopardy —that’s where I would draw the line.”

On Thursday, he released a statement saying he wanted to clarify his comments. He said “in jeopardy” reflects factors other than health.

“Let me be very clear — I believe that any victim of sexual assault has the right to make the choice to have an abortion or not,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for women ... I understand there are circumstances where abortion is necessary.”

Cheveldayoff, a former minister of parks, culture and sport, is one of the leading candidates to replace Brad Wall, who is retiring after a decade as premier. A new leader for the Sask. Party is to be chosen Jan. 27.

Cheveldayoff and two other male candidates — former environment minister Scott Moe and former Conservative MP Rob Clarke — recently talked about their anti-abortion views with the Ottawa-based group Right Now, which is dedicated to electing anti-abortion politicians. The interviews were posted online.

Moe talked about supporting a caucus discussion on parental notification for youth seeking abortions. Clarke, who is Indigenous, said his culture doesn’t support abortion.

In question period Thursday, Wall said the province’s stance on abortion hasn’t changed and it is largely a federal issue.