Category: Proposed Laws

Bill 207 challenges abortion access based on ‘conscience’

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

. . . The episode masked a much more consequential matter this week — the introduction of Bill 207, called the “Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers Protection Act.)”

It might seem innocuous at first, but this bill is a significant backdoor effort to limit patient access to abortion, all in the name of conscience.

The private member’s bill, sponsored by Peace River UCP MLA Dan Williams, will be debated and quite possibly passed.

It provides immunity from complaint or discipline to health providers that refuse to deal with patients whose needs offend their conscience. . . [Full text]

Alberta private member’s bill aiming for physician conscience rights moves forward

Edmonton Journal

Lisa Johnson

A bill that aims to protect the conscience rights of physicians passed first reading in the Alberta legislature Thursday, cracking open a debate around the rights and responsibilities of physicians asked to assist or advise on abortions, contraception or medically assisted deaths.

UCP backbencher MLA Dan Williams introduced the private member’s bill to reassert the Charter-protected freedom of conscience and religion for health providers.

“Health care providers should never have to choose between their most deeply held beliefs and their job,” said Williams in a written statement released after the vote. . . [Full text]

Alberta private member’s bill to reopen debate on physician conscience rights

UCP MLA Dan Williams says his bill is meant to simply affirm Charter rights

CBC News

Dean Bennett

Alberta politicians are to debate the role of conscience rights and the responsibilities of physicians asked to assist or advise on abortions, contraception or medically assisted deaths.

United Conservative backbencher Dan Williams is to introduce Thursday a private member’s bill to reassert the Charter-protected freedom of conscience and religion for health providers.

Williams says the bill is in response to an Appeal Court of Ontario ruling this spring.

Ontario’s high court affirmed a lower court ruling that found physicians who object on moral grounds to contentious issues like abortion must offer patients an “effective referral” to another health provider. . . [Full text]

Governor vetoes protection of conscience amendment in Nuevo Leon

Sean Murphy*

A protection of conscience amendment to the health law of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon has been vetoed by the governor and returned to the state legislature with the government’s observations. These include an expectation of the inclusion of a requirement for mandatory referral by objecting health care workers ( which many would find unacceptable), and the inclusion of a requirement that institutions maintain non-objecting personnel on staff to whom the referrals could be made. News reports indicate that the veto was triggered by opposition to the amendment by homosexual and allied groups alleging that protecting freedom of conscience for health care workers would result in discrimination against them. [Milenio]

Under Articles 71 and73 of the Constitution of Nuevo León, the governor must review legislation and either approve it or return in within 10 days for  reconsideration.  If the bill is approved by 2/3 of the Deputies after reconsideration, it must be approved and published by the Governor.

Church supports conscientious objection for medical professionals in Nuevo Leon

Catholic News Agency

Monterrey, Mexico, Oct 30, 2019 / 05:19 pm (CNA).- Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera López of Monterrey said Sunday he supports the reform of the Healthcare Law in Mexico’s Nuevo Leon state allowing conscientious objection for doctors and nurses.

Speaking to the press Oct. 27, Cabrera said that “conscientious objection is a universally established right; I think that sometimes the problem is how it is understood or put into practice.” . . . [Full text]