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Toews will listen to constituents on abortion issue
Federal Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews addresses the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce today. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said he will consult his constituents before he votes on a motion that has reignited debate on when life begins.
Backbench Tory MP Stephen Woodworth, who represents Kitchener Centre, has introduced a motion that calls for a special committee to review Canada's criminal definition of when a child becomes a human being. Canada's laws currently say that a fetus does not become a human being until the moment of complete birth.
Critics have alleged that by allowing Woodworth to bring the motion forward, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has permitted the discussion to proceed without breaking a Conservative election promise not to reopen the abortion debate.
Toews said that Canada is not reopening the abortion debate, and declined to comment further on whether or not he will support a review of the current definition of when life begins. He said he plans to speak with his constituents on the matter.
"That's something each member has to examine their own conscience and consult with their constituents as to what they will do on that issue," Toews said, following a press conference on funding for Winnipeg homeless initiatives at city hall today.
"Our government has clearly said they will not open (the abortion) debate, our party has said they will not raise that issue, and those are certain commitments that I made during the election."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has stated that he plans to vote against the motion.
MPs could vote on the motion in June or September.
- with files from Postmedia News
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