Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Abortion views studied in poll

OTTAWA -- Canadians generally support a woman's right to have an abortion but many believe the medical procedure should only be allowed in "certain circumstances," a new poll has found.

The nationwide survey commissioned by Postmedia News revealed a majority would support a law that places limits on when a woman can have an abortion, such as during the last trimester of her pregnancy. But support for an outright ban on all abortions is weak.

The poll asked if people would support "the introduction of a law in Canada that places limits on when a woman can have an abortion during her pregnancy, such as during the last trimester."

Sixty per cent would support this, while 40 per cent would not.

Support for a law is strongest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (66 per cent), followed by Alberta (65 per cent). Opposition is strongest in British Columbia (45 per cent).

The survey by Ipsos Reid also contains findings on two other contentious social issues that the government has handled delicately.

On the same-sex marriage law, which the Tories criticized while in opposition but have not reversed, a majority of Canadians are quite happy with allowing gays and lesbians to marry.

And on the issue of capital punishmen, two-thirds of Canadians favour the death penalty.

-- Postmedia News

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 4, 2012 A8

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