Why Windsor could become a haven for Michigan women seeking abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned
If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, one of the closest cities for many women in Michigan to access abortion services without facing legal barriers would be Windsor, Ont.
That's because an early 1930s law is on the books in Michigan that considers any doctor who assists in the early termination of a pregnancy to be "guilty of a felony" — with no exceptions for rape or incest. The law is currently not enforceable due to Roe v. Wade, but could be if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to overturn it.
State laws surrounding abortion have been given renewed attention, following the leak published Monday evening which shows America’s highest court is expected to make a decision on overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling from 1973. The court's ruling protects a woman's right to an abortion without excessive government restrictions.
If Roe v. Wade is overturned, the legalization or criminality of abortion would be left in the hands of individual states and politicians.
"We saw who was being appointed to the Supreme Court. We saw the varying state legislatures passing very restrictive legislation. So we saw that this potentially was coming," spokesperson for Ontario Coalition for Abortion Carolyn Egan said Wednesday.
"But nonetheless, it was devastating."
Carolyn Egan, spokesperson for Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics, says she's hopeful that border communities like Windsor will open up further access of abortion services to American women in need of them. (Sanjay Maru/CTV Windsor)
If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, Egan said she expects neighbouring countries — and more specifically, border cities like Windsor, Ont. — to step up and provide abortion services for American women seeking access.
She referenced the situation for women in Ireland, where abortion was not legalized until 2018. Prior to that, Egan added, Irish women would travel to the neighbouring United Kingdom to access abortion services.
“U.K. women's organizations and medical facilities made every effort to make the journey as easy as possible for them. That’s a bigger journey than going across the border from Detroit to Windsor,” she said.
“I don't think there would be any legal problem coming across the border for something like this and they wouldn't be overburdening [Ontario’s] healthcare system.”
CTV News reached out to Windsor Regional Hospital, which offers abortion services at its Metropolitan campus, for an interview. A spokesperson for the hospital said it would not be speaking about this issue "at this time."
But the hospital added it will address the matter "with direction and advice from government" once a decision on overturning Roe v. Wade is rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Through a spokesperson, Canada's Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould said the federal government condemns the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, adding "Americans who come to Canada are able to access medical services here today if they need it."
"Americans accessing health care services in Canada would continue to have to pay for the service out-of-pocket or by their own private insurance if they are not covered by a provincial health insurance, by the Interim Federal Health Program or Non-Insured Health Benefits," the minister said.
According to national Pew Research polls, the majority of Americans believe access to abortions should remain legal in all or most cases.
Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer filed a lawsuit which asks Michigan's Supreme Court to remove the state's 1931 law from the books. In recent days, Whitmer has said if Roe v. Wade is overturned, she will not enforce the state-specific law.
This week, Whitmer — along with 16 other Democrat state governors — sent a letter to U.S. Congress officials, calling for them to "immediately put protections offered by Roe v. Wade into federal law."
CTV News also reached out to Right to Life Windsor-Essex, along with the Melo Clinic and Pregnancy Centre. Neither responded by the time of publication.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.