Conservatives say no money for abortion in G8 maternal health initiative

A few minutes ago in the House of Commons, the following exchange took place between BQ MP Joanne Deschamps and Conservative MP Jim Abbott. Abbott is the parliamentary secretary for Bev Oda, the minister for international development, who is in Halifax meeting with her G8 counterparts. [This is a rush transcript from the press gallery in the House of Commons and will be updated when the Blues are released:)

Deschamps: (voice of translator): mr. speaker, this week, g8 development ministers are meeting in halifax in order to harmonize their policies on maternal and child health. we know that this government is ideologically opposed to abortion and would love to export its conservative values around the world. will the government put aside its ideological prejudices and recognize that family planning measures, including abortion, improve women and children's health?

Jim Abbott (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development): We'll be leading the discussion at the upcoming g8 summit on child and maternal health. we're focused on how to make a positive difference to save the lives of mothers and children in the developing world. Canada's contribution to maternal and child health may include family planning. However, canada's contribution will not include funding abortion.

johanne deschamps (bq): (voice of translator): …the conservative government has asked for assistance from norway in order to come up with a strategy on maternal and child health in developing countries. norway's special advisor is emphasizing the need for family planning measures, including abortion, in the strategy. will the conservative government listen to this wise advice and provide all the resources to get women full choice?

Abbott: … always trying to score cheap political points on the issue of abortion. we're giving the opportunity to all our g8 partners to assist us in promoting maternal and child health. the standard practice is each country makes its own domestic decision, which areas it will peck us on. our government has no intention to reopen the abortion debate in canada. we will work with our partners on this important issue.

UPDATE: And here is that exchange as recorded in the “Blues”, the transcription provided by the House of Commons staff:

Mme Johanne Deschamps (Laurentides—Labelle, BQ): Monsieur le Président, cette semaine, les ministres du Développement du G8 se réunissent à Halifax afin d'harmoniser leurs politiques à l'égard de la santé maternelle et infantile. On sait que ce gouvernement s'oppose idéologiquement à l'avortement et qu'il voudrait bien exporter ses valeurs conservatrices à l'international. Est-ce que le gouvernement va mettre de côté son idéologie et reconnaître que les mesures de planification familiale, incluant l'avortement, contribuent à améliorer la santé des femmes et des enfants?

Hon. Jim Abbott (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation, CPC): Mr. Speaker, my minister is hosting the G8 development ministers in Halifax today where this issue will be discussed. We will be leading the discussion at the upcoming G8 summit on child and maternal health. We are focused on how to make a positive difference to save the lives of mothers and children in the developing world. Canada's contribution to maternal and child health may include family planning, however, Canada's contribution will not include funding abortion.

Mme Johanne Deschamps (Laurentides—Labelle, BQ): Monsieur le Président, le gouvernement conservateur a demandé l'aide de la Norvège afin d'établir sa stratégie à l'égard de la santé maternelle et infantile dans les pays en voie de développement. Le conseiller spécial de la Norvège insiste pour dire que les mesures de planification familiale, incluant l'avortement, sont essentielles à une telle stratégie. Est-ce que le gouvernement conservateur va écouter ce judicieux conseil et prévoir des ressources afin de donner la liberté de choix aux femmes?

Hon. Jim Abbott (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it is getting a little tiresome to have the opposition always trying to score cheap political points on the issue of abortion. We are giving the opportunity to all our G8 partners to assist us in promoting maternal and child health. The standard practice is each country makes its own domestic decision which areas it will focus on. Our government has no intention to reopen the abortion debate in Canada. We will work with our partners on this important issue.