Manitoba MP under fire for anti-abortion outburst
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/05/2018 (2701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
OTTAWA — Steinbach-area MP Ted Falk sparked a ruckus Wednesday in Parliament when he blurted out his opposition to abortion. The Liberals have been quick to make hay of the Tory MP’s remarks.
During question period, an NDP MP asked about access to abortion in rural areas — on which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government was already working to make sure “reproductive-health services, including abortions” are accessible in all provinces.
“We will always be unequivocal in standing up for a woman’s right to choose,” Trudeau said, prompting Falk to yell: “It’s not a right.”
The House of Commons erupted into jeers as the Speaker called MPs to order. NDP MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach responded, “Mr. Speaker, it’s horrible what we just heard.”
Neither Falk’s constituency nor his Hill offices responded to an afternoon interview request.
Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef asked the Speaker to have Falk withdraw his “offensive” comment, but the Speaker ruled such a move would overstep parliamentary rules, because it was “a question of debate.”
The Speaker’s response prompted some MPs to cry “shame.”
Winnipeg Centre MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette tweeted about the exchange shortly it happened, as did NDP MP Niki Ashton, who represents northern Manitoba. She called Falk’s comments “a chilling reminder that the fight for a woman’s right to choose is far from over in our country, too.”
Monsef’s predecessor, Labour Minister Patty Hajdu, tweeted: “This is the foundation of gender equality. It is indeed a right worth protecting.”
On Thursday, anti-abortion activists will take to Parliament Hill for the annual March for Life event.
dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca