Manitoba news: Tories ant bill to ban anti-abortion protests expanded [Video]

WINNIPEG –

Manitoba’s Opposition Progressive Conservatives say a government plan to ban anti-abortion protests near some health-care facilities should be expanded to cover more areas and all protests, including picket lines.

Tory health critic Kathleen Cook said Wednesday she plans to move an amendment to a bill the NDP government has put before the legislature.

The bill would create buffer zones of 50 metres to 150 metres around health facilities that provide abortions and the homes of abortion providers. Inside those zones, people would not be allowed to block access, to try to dissuade people from getting an abortion or to “perform an act of disapproval” of abortion.

The Tories accused the government of trying to create a wedge issue by singling out abortion protests and providing protection only to people seeking abortions.

“I believe that same right should be extended to all Manitoba patients, whether they’re going for cancer care or …