VICTORIA, B.C. - Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, is calling on all provincial party leaders to immediately affirm support for reproductive rights in British Columbia. This comes in response to growing concerns about potential federal encroachments on abortion access.
"As a province, we must stand together in support of women’s healthcare, including access to all forms of reproductive care," said Furstenau. "At this critical moment, as we witness disturbing restrictions to abortion access in the United States, it's essential that David Eby, Kevin Falcon, and John Rustad take a clear stand. With regressive developments at the federal level, we must strengthen our support for reproductive healthcare.
The current landscape of reproductive health services in British Columbia highlights significant disparities in access. The vast majority of surgical abortion facilities are concentrated in the southern region of the province, leaving those in northern, rural, and remote areas facing substantial barriers. The nearest clinic to Haida Gwaii is 1,700 km away, a 26-hour travel time. Surrey, Prince George, Courtenay, and Kamloops have no publicly listed providers.
"Our government must reflect its priorities through action and funding, not just words. We need to see tangible efforts to ensure equitable access to reproductive healthcare, including abortions,” continued Furstenau.
“Denying people access to sexual and reproductive rights has life-altering consequences. It perpetuates gender inequality, economic inequality, and diminishes people’s ability to make choices about their own lives.
"We cannot go back and fight the hard-won battles that protect women’s rights. Everyone deserves the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health, and we need to protect and extend these rights. I encourage my fellow leaders to step up, be clear about where they stand, and take real steps to protect these fundamental rights.”
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