Sask. Party leadership hopefuls backtrack on abortion stances
Saskatchewan Party leadership candidates on Thursday were walking back controversial comments made about abortion that are threatening to significantly change the course of the race to replace Premier Brad Wall.
Ken Cheveldayoff read a “personal statement” to reporters in which he stated his own view is life begins at conception, but “I would not personally bring forward any type of legislation because this is a decision to be made within the whole caucus, with a deep dialogue and thoughtful discussion.”
While reaffirming his pro-life beliefs, he stepped back from comments made earlier about supporting “anything that protects the unborn child.” Instead, he said he would leave any legislation doing so up to the will of the Sask. Party caucus, noting he is “not speculating on any legislation” and that he “doesn’t have any to bring forward.”
After taking questions for about five minutes from reporters, one of Cheveldayoff ’s caucus colleagues — Warren Steinley, another pro-life MLA — attempted to end the scrum.
Leadership race newcomer Rob Clarke said if he were premier he wouldn’t bring any legislation regarding abortion forward, despite telling a pro-life group earlier in the week that the possibility of placing provincial restrictions on abortion should be “looked at very carefully.”
He told that same group he would consider using the notwithstanding clause (which allows provinces to override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on matters the court has ruled violates certain rights) to do so.
Asked Thursday how invoking the notwithstanding clause would prevent people from leaving Saskatchewan to get abortions, Clarke had this to say.
“That will be their choice, you can’t prevent anyone from making their own choice.”
Scott Moe says he is “personally” pro-life but willing to govern more like Wall and only allow policy on abortion to move forward after a “fulsome debate in caucus.” He reiterated those points in a statement Thursday, but refused to speak with reporters.
Gord Wyant is saying the discussion on abortion is over, in large part because the Supreme Court has ruled on it and that decision has “finality.”
The two female candidates in the race — Tina Beaudry-Mellor and Alanna Koch — have stated they are pro-choice.
During his 10 years at the helm of the Sask. Party, Wall has been able to keep a lid on the large faction of anti-abortion caucus members.
He’s done so by letting the issue rest and forbidding any of his caucus members from bringing abortion issues to the public.
The anti-abortion sentiment is now on full display, and is becoming a significant wedge issue in a leadership race that has largely been an exercise in candidates agreeing on big issues and differing little on others.