'Therapeutic' abortions down slightly

By ART BABYCH
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

Canadian women obtained 105,427 abortions in 2000, a decrease of 0.2 per cent from 105,666 in 1999, said the federal government agency March 28.

However, the rate of abortion remained steady at 15.4 abortions per 1,000 women in both 1999 and 2000.

Jim Hughes, national president of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), said Prime Minister Jean Chretien's "legacy for Canada is the death of two million unborn Canadians" since 1969. "The present and future generations of Canadians have been eliminated by his governments," Hughes said in a news release. "Some legacy!"

Abortion rates increased from 1999 to 2000 in all provinces except Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia. In both Manitoba and B.C., the rate dropped 4.3 per cent, while in Ontario it declined by 1.1 per cent.

Among the provinces and territories that saw their abortions rates rise, Yukon was the highest at a 21.6 per cent increase, followed by Northwest Territories at 18.1 per cent and Nunavut at 14.8 per cent. Those whose residence is unknown increased by 10.3 per cent followed by Prince Edward Island at nine percent, New Brunswick 6.5 per cent, Newfoundland and Labrador 5.5 per cent, Nova Scotia 3.8 per cent, Saskatchewan 3.1 per cent, Alberta 2.4 per cent, and Quebec 1.3 per cent.

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