Ontario bill will create safe spaces around abortion clinics
OurWindsor.Ca
Anti-abortion activists have ramped up signage in some of Toronto's high-traffic intersections. Here, activists hand out flyers at the corners of Yonge St. and St Clair Ave. on Wednesday. - Randy Risling / Toronto Star
A new bill being introduced by the Ontario government aims to protect women from harassment while seeking abortion services.
The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, 2017 was announced on Oct. 4 by Attorney General Yasir Naqvi and Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister for the Status of Women. If passed, it will allow for the creation of safe zones around abortion clinics and facilities, as well as around the residences of staff who work in these clinics, in a bid to ward off protesters and intimidation toward women trying to access the services and toward those providing them.
The size of the safe zones will range from 50 metres to 150 metres around abortion clinics and facilities, while protection around the houses of clinic staff will automatically be 150 metres.
The new bill would also protect staff and health care providers from being harassed anywhere within the province of Ontario.
Failure to comply with the legislation would result in fines of up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment of up to six months for a first-time offender. For any repeat offenders, fines could range between $1,000 and $10,000. They could also face up to a year in jail.
https://www.therecord.com/news-stor...l-create-safe-spaces-around-abortion-clinics/
OurWindsor.Ca
Anti-abortion activists have ramped up signage in some of Toronto's high-traffic intersections. Here, activists hand out flyers at the corners of Yonge St. and St Clair Ave. on Wednesday. - Randy Risling / Toronto Star
A new bill being introduced by the Ontario government aims to protect women from harassment while seeking abortion services.
The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, 2017 was announced on Oct. 4 by Attorney General Yasir Naqvi and Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister for the Status of Women. If passed, it will allow for the creation of safe zones around abortion clinics and facilities, as well as around the residences of staff who work in these clinics, in a bid to ward off protesters and intimidation toward women trying to access the services and toward those providing them.
The size of the safe zones will range from 50 metres to 150 metres around abortion clinics and facilities, while protection around the houses of clinic staff will automatically be 150 metres.
The new bill would also protect staff and health care providers from being harassed anywhere within the province of Ontario.
Failure to comply with the legislation would result in fines of up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment of up to six months for a first-time offender. For any repeat offenders, fines could range between $1,000 and $10,000. They could also face up to a year in jail.
https://www.therecord.com/news-stor...l-create-safe-spaces-around-abortion-clinics/