Brigid Elson is a French teacher living in Toronto. She recently wrote to the Premier of the Province of Ontario with regard to abortion clinics.
A reply to her letter appears below.
October 28, 1983
Dear Miss Elson:
This will acknowledge your recent letter in which you expressed your opinion concerning abortion clinics in Ontario.
As you know, the provision for therapeutic abortions in Canada is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada Section 251, declaring an abortion illegal unless it is performed in an accredited hospital (a hospital accredited by the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation in which diagnostic services and medical, surgical and obstetrical treatment are provided) under the approval of a therapeutic abortion committee, when the pregnancy would be likely to endanger the mother’s life or health.
The Ministry of Health takes the position that new private or single purpose hospitals should not be established in Ontario if a need can be met by our public hospitals. In the case of abortion, we believe that there is sufficient capacity within the public hospital system of Ontario to meet the needs of residents for this service, and that the back-up health services of the hospitals provide additional security which far outweighs the convenience of free-standing clinics. I wish to reassure you, therefore, that the Ministry of Health has no intention of issuing licences for new private hospitals.
The Province must recognize its responsibilities under the law and make every effort to discharge them in a fair and equitable manner. In laying charges against Dr. Morgentaler and his colleagues, the Metro Toronto Police were carrying out their obligations as police officers sworn to uphold the Law. In proceeding with the charges, the Honorable Roy McMurtry is fulfilling his obligations as Attorney General of this Province. While I can appreciate that there are varying views with respect to abortion, I cannot ignore the fact that if abortion clinics are established in Ontario, this will be in defiance of the Criminal Code of Canada.
I trust the foregoing has clarified the position of the Ontario Government in respect to the Abortion Law and I appreciate the time you have taken to write to me in order to express your views regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
William G. Davis
