A considerately devised Conservative private member’s bill aimed at classifying violence against pregnant women as an aggravating factor in court sentencing faced a resounding defeat in the House of Commons, as other political parties expressed concerns that it would reignite the contentious abortion debate.
The bill received support from nearly all members of the Conservative Party, including Leader Pierre Poilievre, who identified himself as “pro-choice” during his leadership campaign.
The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada urged Members of Parliament to oppose the bill on the grounds that it promotes fetal rights, despite the absence of any reference to fetal rights in the bill itself.
Campaign Life Coalition president Jeff Gunnarson expressed his hope that the proposed bill would contribute to a legal argument for fetal rights and abortion restrictions in the future, but acknowledged the unlikelihood of such an outcome.
