UCP Resolution Ignites Fierce Debate Over Abortion Funding
UCP Resolution Sparks Reproductive Rights Debate
A proposed United Conservative Party (UCP) resolution has ignited a fiery community debate over reproductive rights, ahead of the party's Annual General Meeting in Edmonton from November 28-30, 2025. UCP members are set to vote on Policy Resolution #29, which proposes ending public funding for third-trimester abortions, with exceptions only for serious risks to the mother's physical health.
This proposal has drawn sharp criticism, with opponents arguing it constitutes an attack on fundamental healthcare access, potentially threatening vulnerable pregnant individuals facing fatal fetal anomalies or other severe medical complications. In Canada, abortion is legal throughout pregnancy and treated as a publicly funded healthcare service under the Canada Health Act. The 1988 Supreme Court decision in R. v. Morgentaler established abortion rights, decriminalizing the procedure and affirming an individual's right to "life, liberty and security of the person." Since then, abortion is regulated solely by provincial medical guidelines. While legal, practical access to later-term abortions (beyond 23-24 weeks) is extremely limited, reserved for grave medical circumstances.
