The Liberal government on Tuesday introduced legislation to require charities that offer pregnancy counselling to disclose whether they also offer abortion and birth control or referral to these services.
If passed, organizations that don’t clearly disclose their services would be at risk of losing their charitable status, according to the legislation announced by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and other cabinet ministers.
“Far too often, women across Canada seeking birth control and abortion care face judgment, they face misinformation and fear tactics, when all they really need are clear answers and compassionate support,” said Women and Gender Equality Minister Marci Ien, who tabled the legislation.
“No matter how someone gets into that room, whatever life events led them there, they deserve evidence-based information — and frankly, they deserve respect.”
Pregnancy counselling services often advertise themselves as places where women facing an unplanned pregnancy can get guidance on the options available to them.
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