Conservatives told to stay quiet on leaked U.S. Supreme Court abortion draft decision
Global News
In a note to the Conservative caucus, Candice Bergen’s office said the party 'will not be commenting' on the draft ruling on Roe v. Wade leaked from the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Conservative Party is attempting to keep its MPs quiet on a leaked U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v. Wade that would overturn abortion rights in that country.
In a memo to Conservative MPs, interim leader Candice Bergen’s office instructed MPs that the party would not comment on the leaked court decision that has sent shockwaves through the U.S.
“Conservatives will not be commenting on draft rulings leaked from the Supreme Court of the United States. Thank you,” read the one-line memo, first reported by the Globe and Mail and confirmed by Global News.
The instruction comes as Conservative leadership hopefuls are scheduled to assemble in Ottawa for an annual conference of the movement’s faithful. The “Canada Strong and Free Network” – formally known as the Manning Centre for Building Democracy – has a leadership candidate’s debate scheduled for Thursday night, in advance of a weekend of workshops and speeches.
It is likely that the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft decision will be a hot topic among the social conservative crowd that frequents the conference.
U.S.-based Politico published the draft decision, penned by Justice Samuel Alito, Monday night. In it, the conservative-dominated top court called the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case – which guaranteed constitutional protections for abortion rights – “egregiously wrong” from the start, Politico reported.
It is not unusual for Conservative Party HQ – or other federal parties – to issue directives on communications or suggested talking points to their MPs on contentious issues.
But while the issue has been settled in most major federal parties, the right to an abortion is still an active debate in Canadian conservative circles – particularly during leadership contests, when the organized social conservatives hold significant power.