Canadian House Of Commons Approves Unborn Victims Of Crime Act

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Medical Malpractice / Litigation
Article Date: 11 Mar 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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The Canadian House of Commons on Wednesday voted 147-132 to approve a bill that would make it a separate crime to harm a fetus during the commission of a violent crime against a pregnant woman, Reuters Canada reports. Opponents of the measure said it could be used as a wedge to reimpose restrictions on abortion in the country. Abortion in Canada has been legal for any reason at any time up to delivery since 1988, according to Reuters Canada.

The bill, sponsored by Conservative Party Member of Parliament Ken Epp, states that the argument that a fetus is "not a human being" would not have merit as a legal defense. The bill also states that its provisions would not apply to abortions to which a woman have consented. Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party, said the bill is "plainly the start of the recriminalization of abortion, and that's why the NDP opposes it."

Epp said the bill should be attractive to abortion-rights supporters because it is designed to protect the infants of women who have chosen to carry their pregnancies to term. The bill is supported by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, but the measure faces an "uphill battle" before it could become law, Reuters Canada reports. It has been sent to the Justice Committee to be considered for a final House vote (Palmer, Reuters Canada, 3/6).

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