441-01433 (Justice)

Our Government will always defend a woman's right to choose. Women, and women alone should decide what happens to their bodies. The Supreme Court of Canada in 1988 struck down Canada’s criminal law against abortion, and the Government took the necessary steps to complete the repeal of those provisions by introducing amendments to take them off the books, which were enacted in 2019. Our Government is committed to upholding all the rights enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including section 7, which provides that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice. All women in Canada have the right to safe and consistent access to reproductive health services and our Government will always support that. The debate over a woman’s right to choose is over.  

Any attempts to introduce abortion into the Criminal Code will be vigorously opposed by our Government.

In 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada declared the Criminal Code prohibition against assisted death to be unconstitutional, which led to the legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAID) in 2016. As a Government, we are committed to ensuring that our laws reflect Canadians’ evolving needs, protect those who may be vulnerable, and support autonomy and freedom of choice. MAID is a deeply personal and complex choice that touches people and families at difficult and often painful times in their lives.

Everyone has the right to safe and consistent access to reproductive healthcare services, including access to abortion. This Government has been clear that it supports the right to choose and believes that safe and legal abortion services should be available to all Canadians who seek them.

Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a complex and deeply personal matter that touches people and families at difficult and often painful times in their lives. The Government of Canada believes that Canadians deserve to live in comfort and dignity, with access to care, including end-of-life care, that is appropriate to their needs and that respects their wishes. It also recognizes that MAID is a deeply personal choice and is committed to ensuring our laws reflect Canadians’ evolving needs, support their autonomy and freedom of choice, and protect those who are vulnerable.