Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate

A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.

A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says.

Facing political pressure to clarify his stance as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill for an annual rally, Poilievre spokesperson Sebastian Skamski denied suggestions from the federal Liberals and New Democrats that the federal Conservatives were leaving the door open on the issue.

"A common sense Conservative government will not legislate on abortion and therefore would never use this section of the Constitution pertaining to this matter," he said.

His comments came in response to Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien questioning whether Poilievre's recent comments on the notwithstanding clause, coupled with Conservative MP Arnold Viersen raising an anti-abortion petition in the House of Commons, was an indication of where the party was headed. 

"When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. If it's a woman's right to choose today what is it tomorrow? … This is, as I see it, a slippery slope," Ien said to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday.

Ien was accompanied by fellow Liberal cabinet ministers Mark Holland and Patty Hajdu, who on the eve of the "March for Life" event also expressed concern about the Conservative party's opposition to the first phase of pharmacare, which intends to provide no-cost access to contraceptives.

Skamski called the ministers' comments "outlandish" and said they "show the true desperation of Justin Trudeau and his flailing Liberals."