Justice and Public Safety
Executive Council
November 17, 2016
Enhancing Safe Access to Health Care Services
Introduction of New Legislation Ensures Secure and Respectful Access to Abortion Services
The Provincial Government today introduced legislation to allow for the creation of safe access zones around health care facilities and the homes of health professionals and clinic owners providing abortion services in the province. The proposed Access to Abortion Services Act will ensure abortion services are provided in a secure, respectful and private environment.
“The intent of the proposed new Access to Abortion Services Act is to balance the rights of individuals to secure, respectful and private access to legal health services, with the rights of others to protest or express dissent. Those who provide services should also be treated with courtesy and respect while those who choose to protest abortion services have the right to do so, but outside of established safe access zones.”
- The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
The Access to Abortion Services Act proposes safe access zones of up to a maximum of 50 metres around health care facilities, 160 metres around a doctor’s residence and 10 metres around a doctor’s office.
The proposed legislation is modelled on the Access to Abortion Services Act in British Columbia, which has been established since the mid-90s. Input on the bill was sought from various stakeholder groups such as health care providers, the women’s community, police agencies and pro-life advocates.
“This legislation is very important for women. As minister responsible for women's policy, I am very pleased to support a woman's right to safe access to any service she chooses. A woman should not be subject to intimidation or invasion of privacy based on a personal choice she is making. This is about safety. I support any action that ensures a woman feels safe and secure in accessing any service she feels is right for her.”
- The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
While there is currently a 40-metre buffer zone established by an Order of the Supreme Court, Trial Division for the Athena Health Centre, the proposed legislation will allow for the creation of safe access zones around other facilities if the need arises. The proposed legislation also outlines activities that are prohibited in a safe access zone as well as proposed penalties for contravention of the act.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government has introduced proposed legislation for the creation of safe access zones around health care facilities, as well as the homes of health professionals and clinic owners providing abortion services in the province.
- The Access to Abortion Services Act proposes safe access zones of up to a maximum of 50 metres around health care facilities, 160 metres around a doctor’s residence and 10 metres around a doctor’s office.
- The act aims to balance the rights of individuals to access legal health services with the rights of others to protest or express dissent.
- The proposed legislation also outlines activities that are prohibited in a safe access zone as well as proposed penalties for contravention of the act.
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Media contacts:
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Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Justice and Public Safety 709-729-6985, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca |
Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Finance 709-729-6830, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
2016 11 17 11:35 a.m.