Conservative MPs and senators in Canada have been told not to comment on the leaked draft US Supreme Court decision to abolish women's rights to terminate a pregnancy, according to a media report.The Supreme Court decision suggests the court may overturn the Roe versus Wade ruling that legalized abortion in 1973.“Conservatives will not be commenting on draft rulings leaked from the Supreme Court of the United States,” reads an email sent by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition to the Conservative caucus.The email was sent to Conservative MPs and senators on Tuesday morning and was obtained by The Globe and Mail.US abortion rights protesters already rallied outside the court before sunrise Tuesday chanting, “Do something, Democrats.”If the leaked ruling were to become law in the US, it would be a victory for Republicans who had laboured for decades to seed the Supreme Court with its present 6-3 conservative majority.Congress’s top two Democrats — House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer — were quick to release a joint statement: “If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years — not just on women but on all Americans.”The instruction to Conservative MPs that they must not comment comes as Conservative leadership hopefuls are ready to assemble in the capital for an annual conference. The “Canada Strong and Free Network” — formally the Manning Centre for Building Democracy — has a leadership candidates' debate scheduled for Thursday evening to be followed by workshops and speeches through the weekend.Canadian Twitter users have taken to the platform to comment about why they think Conservatives have been silenced on the matter."Why is Candice restricting #CPC MPs' freedom of speech and expression?," said Maddison Long."The implications of the #RoeVWade debacle for the #CPCLdr race seem obvious. The CPC just disqualified a number of anti-choice candidates, leaving one prominent one behind — #LeslynLewis. She is now the leading threat to #ReproductiveChoice in Canada," said Matt Hopkins."CPC mantra every campaign: "Abortion debate is settled," "just fearmongering.” Now, #CPC caucus just received a memo from their leader saying not to comment. EVERY single elected official in this country should be asked where they stand. “No comment” speaks for itself," said Kim Rudd.Dr. David DesBaillets said the Conservatives are on board with the US Democrats, "@CPC_HQ MPs dying to cheer #Scotus today. Does #PierrePoilievre have the balls to break ranks & tell the truth? That #CPC is fundamentally with the fundamentalists when it comes to reproductive rights?"Abortion rights remain hot-potato issue in the federal Conservative party. Its official policy declaration in 2021 says “a Conservative government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion.”Interim leader of the federal Conservative party, Candice Bergen defended the leaked email instructing Conservative MPs not to comment.In her opinion, "It would be inappropriate to comment on matters before the U.S. Courts.""When it comes to the debate in Canada, Conservatives' position remains what it has been since the Harper government. Access to abortion was not restricted under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and the Conservative Party will not introduce legislation, or reopen the abortion debate," Bergen said. She added it's a subject the party allows free votes on since it's a matter of conscience."The only ones reopening the debate are the Liberals and Justin Trudeau is once again using women's reproductive rights to wedge and divide Canadians," she said. Bergen concluded by saying, "If Justin Trudeau wants to reopen the abortion debate in the House of Commons, Conservatives will represent Canadians."Amanda Brown is a reporter with the Western Standardabrown@westernstandard.newsTwitter: @WS_JournoAmanda
Conservative MPs and senators in Canada have been told not to comment on the leaked draft US Supreme Court decision to abolish women's rights to terminate a pregnancy, according to a media report.The Supreme Court decision suggests the court may overturn the Roe versus Wade ruling that legalized abortion in 1973.“Conservatives will not be commenting on draft rulings leaked from the Supreme Court of the United States,” reads an email sent by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition to the Conservative caucus.The email was sent to Conservative MPs and senators on Tuesday morning and was obtained by The Globe and Mail.US abortion rights protesters already rallied outside the court before sunrise Tuesday chanting, “Do something, Democrats.”If the leaked ruling were to become law in the US, it would be a victory for Republicans who had laboured for decades to seed the Supreme Court with its present 6-3 conservative majority.Congress’s top two Democrats — House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer — were quick to release a joint statement: “If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years — not just on women but on all Americans.”The instruction to Conservative MPs that they must not comment comes as Conservative leadership hopefuls are ready to assemble in the capital for an annual conference. The “Canada Strong and Free Network” — formally the Manning Centre for Building Democracy — has a leadership candidates' debate scheduled for Thursday evening to be followed by workshops and speeches through the weekend.Canadian Twitter users have taken to the platform to comment about why they think Conservatives have been silenced on the matter."Why is Candice restricting #CPC MPs' freedom of speech and expression?," said Maddison Long."The implications of the #RoeVWade debacle for the #CPCLdr race seem obvious. The CPC just disqualified a number of anti-choice candidates, leaving one prominent one behind — #LeslynLewis. She is now the leading threat to #ReproductiveChoice in Canada," said Matt Hopkins."CPC mantra every campaign: "Abortion debate is settled," "just fearmongering.” Now, #CPC caucus just received a memo from their leader saying not to comment. EVERY single elected official in this country should be asked where they stand. “No comment” speaks for itself," said Kim Rudd.Dr. David DesBaillets said the Conservatives are on board with the US Democrats, "@CPC_HQ MPs dying to cheer #Scotus today. Does #PierrePoilievre have the balls to break ranks & tell the truth? That #CPC is fundamentally with the fundamentalists when it comes to reproductive rights?"Abortion rights remain hot-potato issue in the federal Conservative party. Its official policy declaration in 2021 says “a Conservative government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion.”Interim leader of the federal Conservative party, Candice Bergen defended the leaked email instructing Conservative MPs not to comment.In her opinion, "It would be inappropriate to comment on matters before the U.S. Courts.""When it comes to the debate in Canada, Conservatives' position remains what it has been since the Harper government. Access to abortion was not restricted under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and the Conservative Party will not introduce legislation, or reopen the abortion debate," Bergen said. She added it's a subject the party allows free votes on since it's a matter of conscience."The only ones reopening the debate are the Liberals and Justin Trudeau is once again using women's reproductive rights to wedge and divide Canadians," she said. Bergen concluded by saying, "If Justin Trudeau wants to reopen the abortion debate in the House of Commons, Conservatives will represent Canadians."Amanda Brown is a reporter with the Western Standardabrown@westernstandard.newsTwitter: @WS_JournoAmanda
