20 SEPTEMBER 2014

(FREDERICTON, NB) -- Green Party Leader David Coon joined reproductive justice activists throughout the country in calling for improved abortion access for women in New Brunswick.

On the National Day of Action in Solidarity with New Brunswick and PEI, Coon reaffirmed his party's firm stand in favour of abortion rights.

"Reproductive choice is a fundamental right, which successive New Brunswick governments have ignored," Coon said. "It's unconscionable that any woman would have to leave the province and pay for a medical service most Canadian women take for granted."

He said a Green government would immediately repeal the parts of the Medical Services Act that require a woman to seek permission from two doctors in order to access abortion services. Coon also believes reproductive health services are best provided in a clinic setting that provides counseling, compassionate and non-judgmental care.

He said a Green government would expand sexual and reproductive health services to serve both youth and adults. Currently prevention-focused reproductive services are available only to people under the age of 19.

Coon points to the poorly thought-out decisions of past governments as an example of how women have been disadvantaged by barriers and cut-backs to reproductive health services.

"The Green Party would reverse those decisions in keeping with the World Health Organization's findings that greater reproductive control improves both women and family health," Coon said. "If the Conservatives and Liberals can't get this right, it makes you question their judgment when it comes to more complex health and economic issues."

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