Canada will ensure border officers know Individuals can journey for abortion: Mendicino – Nationwide

Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino says he might be speaking with the Canada Border Providers Agency to verify its workers know People looking for abortions can come to Canada for care.

Talking with reporters on Wednesday, Mendicino stated folks within the U.S. could also be feeling doubt about whether they will be able to entry abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned, as a leaked draft ruling from the U.S. Supreme Courtroom prompt earlier this week is imminent.

NEW: Minister @marcomendicino says he’s talking with @CanBorder to verify there are clear guidelines so People who may not have the ability to entry an abortion can come to Canada to take action. Says capacity to do so isn’t in question but he desires to ensure things are clear. pic.twitter.com/qEqVQuUKJT

— Abigail Bimman (@AbigailBimman) May 4, 2022

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Mendicino said the ability of Individuals to return to Canada for abortions just isn't in question, however he wants to make sure that place is evident to these engaged on the frontlines on the border.

“I’ve engaged CBSA, my workplace is presently working with them to make sure there are clear guidelines so that ladies who might not have the ability to entry healthcare including abortions are in a position to come to Canada,” he stated.

“If some women want to come to Canada to access these procedures, I've given them the directive to welcome them,” he added in French.

Mendicino billed the move as a “measure of warning” in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned and described the hope as being to “remove any ambiguity” that border officials could have as as to whether someone travelling to Canada for an abortion is eligible to enter the country.

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What is unclear at this time is whether any data on these people could be shared with American law enforcement or state officers trying to prosecute folks for travelling for an abortion, as some experts have advised may very well be next if Roe v. Wade falls.

Canada and the U.S. have intensive cross-border information sharing agreements designed to make it easier to flag individuals who may pose a risk to national security, or who are violating immigration guidelines.

Alexander Cohen, director of communications for Mendicino’s workplace, mentioned the government doesn't share general data relating to the aim of travel for People coming to Canada, “and that would include those who come to Canada for reproductive well being functions.”

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Could Canada become an abortion 'safe haven'?

In the context of abortion rights, jurisdictions that provide entry to these exterior their borders are sometimes called “safe havens.”

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States like California have vowed to enshrine abortion access more strongly of their legal guidelines in the wake of the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft ruling on Roe v. Wade, whereas experts are additionally raising the likelihood that for People near the Canadian border, this country could turn into their nearest protected haven.

Read more: Roe v. Wade draft ruling puts U.S. abortion rights in crosshairs. Right here’s what to know

“I believe the massive challenges for Canadians are going to be ongoing access to abortion if Canada becomes a safe haven of Americans,” stated Dr. Dustin Costescu, an associate professor at McMaster University as well as a family planning and sexual health specialist.

Costescu mentioned all the knowledge obtainable proper now suggests there'll remain abortion entry in a number of states along the Eastern Seaboard if Roe v. Wade falls, together with New York.

That would imply Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes may not see a “significant” level of spillover.

“Michigan, on the other hand, turns into a bit of a hot spot when it comes to whether or not abortion is accessible. As we move westward into the U.S. Midwest, that’s the place we see pockets of states that will fall when Roe v Wade falls,” he added.

“Geographically, that is thought-about ‘frontier country.’ These are massive distances. But if individuals have to choose to go tons of of kilometers south or north [to access abortion], they may come up north.”

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Learn more: How abortion entry differs throughout U.S. — and the way overturning Roe v. Wade may change it

Autumn Reinhardt-Simpson is the founding father of the Alberta Abortion Entry Community, and works as what’s generally known as an abortion doula. That means her job helps people who want abortions access them.

The assist she and different abortion doulas provide consists of assist arranging journey, pickup and drop-off at sexual well being clinics or abortion clinics, help arranging lodging if an individual has to depart their dwelling group to get the abortion, assist accessing accurate info, as well as emotional support.

She informed World News on Tuesday that resources in lots of components of her province are already stretched.

“Access in Alberta is healthier than some places, however still not nice,” she mentioned. “We nonetheless have a tough time getting folks in rural areas into the cities for his or her appointments, especially as a result of there are so few docs which are but prescribing abortion treatment.”

Reinhardt-Simpson mentioned an inflow of people coming north may add to these challenges.

“We’re not likely geared up for coping with Albertans who need abortion care. We cannot even provide complete well being services for ladies or trans and non-binary people in our personal province,” she stated.

“So for sure, if people did come up right here in large numbers, there can be a very large downside.”

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