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© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.Canadian gov't defends decision not to fund abortions
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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manfromamerica
Good job Canada!
pointofview
The people should be deciding this not politicians.
manfromamerica
Then what do politicians do?
Egalityranny
Good for Canada.
mikehuntez
Why should the government fund your mistake? Abortion is not illegal. But it also should be the responsibility of those that are responsible for the pregnancy. Good move Mr. Harper. Finally a Prime Minister with a backbone.
chotto
Yep, you're mistake if you get raped, or die from giving birth.
pointofview
They should do what people tell them.
thundercat
mikehuntez, you obviously know nothing about Harper if you think he has a backbone. In fact, he completely hid his agenda until they released their policy statement at the summit. Sounds like someone who really stands up for their convictions... Actually, nah, sounds like someone who knows they don't have the support of the country but tries to ram their ideology down other people's throats. He's a coward who avoids debate by hiding his positions until he can force them on others through procedure (ie, not having enough time to address issues in Parliament)... repeatedly.
The only reason he is afraid to reopen the abortion debate and would rather focus on less contentious issues is that he'd have to acknowledge that he doesn't have support for these kinds of measures.
skipthesong
While I am a pro choice person, I can't see why tax payers should have to pay for your abortion. However, should a woman get raped, I then support tax funded abortion (it is really a politician's and police mistakes why there are such crimes).
If a girl is under age, both sets of parents should foot the bill. Should they not be able to pay for it then a loan system should be provided
jruaustralia
Because personal responsibility seems to be heretical to pro-abortion advocates. But I agree, taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for someone's choice.
ronaldk
I assume/presume/guess that the number of women who are raped that become pregnant therefrom is a very small number in developed countries, and the percentage of women dying from childbirth in developed countries is also very low. However, in some developing countries, particularly in or near war zones, the percentages is likely much higher. That is all I have to say.
TheQuestion
Legally women are within their rights to kill the pregnancy. I won't attempt to strip them of that, but I draw the line at aiding the procedure.
Taka313
Skip,
I think that's a fair position.
Taka
Good_Jorb
Oddly 10 out 12 of the Canadian provincial governments choose to pay for adortions, so I don't see how it would divide the Canadian population if it hasn't already.
If the aid is going pay for abortions in poorer African countries (I would imagine that is what they are refering to as abroad) and such , I don't see the problem. Rape, child starvation, extreme proverty and so on are all reason that an abortion may be the more humane thing to do.
realist
Good news from Canada. Funding abortions would mean State-financed murder of the unborn.
ANOTSUSAGAMI
Usually the state will fund medical procedures if the patient cannot afford to, through insurance and/or personal finances. I assume this is the case, as I'm certain the Canadian gov't wouldn't fund any of Celine Dion's procedures no matter how vital, because she can afford it herself. That means those seeking a state funded abortion can't afford to pay for it themselves. Say what you will about the morality of it, the reality is this: If you can't afford an abortion you certainly can't afford the child. Why should any child grow up in poverty and suffer the harsh and often short life of the impoverished simply to satisfy someone else's moral superiority?
mikehuntez
Dear mr Thunder, Harper actually has a lot of backbone, considering he is taking a stance at odds with other G8 members, including the U.S. To me this does not sound like a sheep following with the rest of the flock. As for debate in Canada, I would challenge any of the other leaders to have a debate on abortion but they won't because they also do not want debate on this issue. In case you haven't notice Iggy and Layton are just as cowardly. As for me I feel a debate on abortion is long overdue in this country. Bring it on!!
sfjp330
mikehuntez at 02:09 PM JST - 28th April. Why should the government fund your mistake? Abortion is not illegal. But it also should be the responsibility of those that are responsible for the pregnancy. Good move Mr. Harper. Finally a Prime Minister with a backbone.
Your generalizing. Every case is different. The pregnancy that is caused by rape or incest is the result of a grave injustice and that the victim should not be obliged to carry the fetus to viability. On these type of cases, the govenment should offer assistance to help in medical care cost.
mikehuntez
On these type of cases, the govenment should offer assistance to help in medical care cost.
On this point I agree. But these cases would be the lesser of all pregnancies.
thundercat
Sorry, but Mr. Harper's responsibility is not to the G8 but to the voters of Canada. Whether he disagrees with the G8 is beside the point. He is supposed to represent the population. Instead of openly and honestly representing the Canadian voters he hides his agenda. If he believed what he was doing was right he won't hide his agenda. No backbone. None at all.
mikehuntez
He's a lot better than the other alternative. I mean really Thundercat would you prefer that clown of a Liberal Party leader? He is to politics as McDonalds is to fine Kobe beef. I'd prefer Harper than any of those clowns especially with what they tried to pull in Dec 08. And Layton joining in with that clown and the bloody Separatist party leader? No Thank You!! And by the way no leader past or present has given out their full agenda. Tell me who was open and honest about their full 'agenda'.
thundercat
Dont have to think too hard. Paul Martin ;p
thundercat
btw, Harper ran on the 'open and transparent' govt ticket!