Keep abortion policy as is: health critic

P.E.I.'s Opposition health critic supports the status quo when it comes to abortion services in the province.

A group called the PEI Reproductive Rights association is lobbying to re-introduce abortion services to the Island and is holding a rally Saturday in front of Province House. Anti-abortion groups will also rally the same day at the same location.

Even though it's a legal medical procedure, P.E.I. remains the only province where abortion services are not offered locally.

And the government isn't interested in re-opening the debate.

"We are in agreement with the government that, at this time, their position on this issue is not changing," said Tory health critic James Aylward.

"Thereare many services that are currently not available on P.E.I. that Islanders do have to travel off Island for. Unfortunately, due to our limited resources here on P.E.I., being a small province, being a small population, there is just so much money to go around."

He said if Islanders want abortions performed on P.E.I. they should let Health PEI know through its current household survey.

Health Minister Doug Currie said he wants to hear from both sides on whether abortion services should be available on P.E.I.

But he said abortion is just one of many medical procedures not offered on the Island and that the province does pay for it when it's done elsewhere.

But both the Green Party and the NDP said Island women shouldn't have to leave the province for abortions. They said it's shameful that P.E.I. is the only province in the country that doesn't providesuch services.

The New Democrats have taken a pro-choice position for 40 years.

"The province has been abrogating its responsibility to women in Prince Edward Island for over 30 years. It's a question of equality," said Leader James Rodd.