Abortion safe-zone bill passes second reading

Near-unanimous support for legislation that would create buffers around clinics

Public hearings will begin Thursday on a proposed law to create protestfree zones around abortion clinics, just two days after the now-expedited bill passed second reading.

Bill 163 was approved by MPPs present from all three major parties, with only Jack MacLaren (Carleton—Mississippi Mills) — a former Progressive Conservative who is now a member of the fledgling Trillium Party of Ontario — voting against.

The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act allows for buffer zones of 50 metres, and up to150 metres, around abortion clinics, and also protestfree areas around the homes of clinic doctors and staff, as well as pharmacies and any agencies that provide pills to terminate pregnancies.

Attorney General Yasir Naqvi said the bill was in response to the recent increased harassment outside of abortion clinics, and in particular at the Morgentaler Clinic in Ottawa.

Almost two weeks ago, Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod tried to get the bill passed on the spot, but the Liberals refused — widely seen as a way for the government to keep an issue that has been divisive for the PCs in the news.

On Monday, however, the parties agreed to an expedited process.

“I think that we have a moment here, a moment to take a stand,” said MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton) speaking in the House. “As female legislators and as male legislators . . . We have an opportunity in this moment to make change. Whether that’s keeping women safe from harassment at a clinic, or whether that’s keeping women safe when they go out at night, that’s a role we have to play. That’s our duty, in fact.”

Indira Naidoo-Harris, the provincial minister of the status of women, noted that “some clinics experience protest on an almost daily basis.”

“Patients and staff are scared and that is unacceptable. We should not forget the history of violent activity conducted by anti-abortion protestors, the arson attacks and bombings and the shooting of clinic doctors in the 1990s.”