Why Justin Trudeau’s viral response to an anti-abortionist missed the mark
Retrieved on:
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Rape, Abortion, Pregnancy, Reproductive rights, Democracy, University, Religion, ARCC, Pierre Poilievre, Politics, Sleep, Head, Woman, Trudeau, Government, Conservative Party, MP, Risk, Supreme court, Political lists, Tory, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, Social media, University of Manitoba, Conservatism, Birth control
A viral clip of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from his recent visit to the University of Manitoba circulated rapidly on social media.
Key Points:
- A viral clip of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from his recent visit to the University of Manitoba circulated rapidly on social media.
- National and international news outlets celebrated his response to a young, self-acclaimed People’s Party of Canada voter and anti-abortionist.
- The prime minister was widely praised for his pro-choice response, which is understandable in a post-Roe v. Wade North America.
Abortion is a human right
- While Trudeau’s support for reproductive rights is encouraging, using the example of rape to justify abortion care neglects abortion as a human right and vital health care required for many diverse reasons by diverse people, including and excluding rape.
- All are valid and all necessitate access to free, safe and legal abortion.
- As it stands now, the politics of abortion in North America distort real people’s experiences.
The scene in Canada
- Following last year’s reversal by the United States Supreme Court of Roe v. Wade, which upheld the constitutional right to abortion, anti-choice advocates in Canada were emboldened.
- Maxime Bernier, leader of the ultra-right People’s Party of Canada, has expressed anti-abortion sentiments, including calls to reopen the abortion debate in Canada.
- The Abortion Rights Coalition Of Canada (ARCC), however, lists anti-choice MPs based on voting history, including aligning with “pro-life” statements, events and campaigns.
- The On Canada Project, a community digital media platform focused on the experiences of marginalized Canadians, called Trudeau’s response “not great” on its Instagram page.