Access to Abortion Services Act (Newfoundland and Labrador)
| Access to Abortion Services Act | |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly | |
| |
| Citation | S.N.L. 2016, c. A-1.02 |
| Assented to | December 14, 2016 |
| Legislative history | |
| Bill citation | Bill 43 |
| Introduced by | Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General |
| First reading | November 15, 2016 |
| Second reading | November 17, 2016 |
| Third reading | November 21, 2016 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The Access to Abortion Services Act is an act of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly relating to the legal protection of access to abortion.
Background
[edit]The act is modelled on the Access to Abortion Services Act of British Columbia.[1]
In 2016, the Athena Health Clinic reached an agreement with two named protesters and "persons unknown" which restricted protested within 40 metres of the clinic.[2]
Provisions
[edit]The act bans protests within 50 metres of abortion clinics and 160 metres of doctors' homes.[3] It also bans protests within 10 metres of doctors' offices and within 160 metres of doctors' homes.[4]
Specifically, the act restricts demonstrating, carrying signs or trying to dissuade women from having abortions outside relevant facilities.[3]
Reception
[edit]The Athena Health Clinic supported the legislation.[2]
A representative of Planned Parenthood Newfoundland supported the legislation.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Anti-abortion protests should be banned outside clinics: Newfoundland justice minister". The Globe and Mail. June 19, 2016. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Agreement reached for protest buffer zone around Newfoundland abortion clinic". CityNews Hailfax. June 29, 2016. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Cooke, Ryan (November 17, 2016). "'I don't care about the political fallout:' N.L. justice minister vows to provide better abortion access". CBC News. Archived from the original on June 5, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ^ Whitten, Elizabeth (May 6, 2022). "Abortion is Legal in NL, But Access Remains Restricted". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ^ Newell, David (November 18, 2016). "Planned Parenthood hopeful new legislation will help clients, health care providers". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2025.