No changes planned to abortion access in Alberta, government leaders say

Alberta government leaders say they have no plans to change access to abortions in the province in the wake of a leaked and potentially landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court.

"There has been no change of policy with respect to that procedure and none has been proposed," Premier Jason Kenney said during question period in the legislature on Tuesday.

But under questioning by Opposition leader Rachel Notley, Kenney stopped short of committing that a United Conservative Party government would ever reduce access to abortion in the province.

"The member is trying to create controversy where there is none in Alberta," Kenney said.

On their way into the legislature Tuesday, Health Minister Jason Copping and Associate Minister for Status of Women Whitney Issik reiterated the UCP government has no intention of changing access to abortion. They also made no commitments to improve access to the service.

Issik, who described herself as pro-choice, acknowledged that people living in rural and remote areas must travel to urban centres for abortions.

"We're going to continue to provide services for women for all matters of women's health," she said.

The flurry of attention follows the news Monday of a leaked draft decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, in which the majority of justices say they are poised to overturn a landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion in that country.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Notley and other women in the NDP caucus gathered on a staircase outside the legislature for a news conference. Notley called it a "dark, dark day" for women's rights and equality, and asked the Alberta government to publicly declare its support for women's reproductive rights.

"I know that many Albertans are concerned over this news and what it will mean for people in this province," she said.

Alberta Health Services lists abortions as available in Edmonton and Calgary. NDP MLA and former health minister Sarah Hoffman said some physicians may perform abortions in other locations, but don't advertise it for fear of harassment or attack.

Cabinet ministers downplayed the ramifications of a potential U.S Supreme Court decision in Canada, saying the decision of a foreign court has no bearing on Canadian law.

The Opposition also repeated calls for changes to a government bill that would guarantee workers up to three days of unpaid job protected leave for a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Bill 17 would amend labour legislation to widen the leave available to workers dealing with the death of a family member.