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The Liberal government announced funding for women’s rights overseas – a clear bid to contrast the Liberals’ position on reproductive rights with conservatives in Canada and the United States.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to reaffirm the Canadian government’s commitment to supporting reproductive freedom in New York City today, where he is attending a star-studded summit.
Before the event, International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan told reporters in Ottawa this morning that the government will spend $195 million over five years and $43 million annually after that to help women’s rights organizations that focus on gender equality.
He said the funding was needed because abortion access could “quickly” be restricted around the world, including in the United States.
The money will go towards the Women’s Voice and Leadership Programme, which was first launched in 2017. The government says it has partnered with around 1,500 organizations through the program so far.
The announcement comes as the Liberals look to cut overall development spending, which has been boosted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This year’s federal budget shows spending will drop about 15 percent in the coming fiscal year.
Abortion rights
Sajjan used the announcement to contrast the Liberal and Conservative positions on women’s rights.
“When it comes to women’s rights, our government is not pro-choice,” Sajjan told reporters at a morning press conference on Parliament Hill.
“Conservatives continue to look for ways to reopen the debate on abortion access, and unlike them, we will not be able to remain silent on the issue.”
Abortion rights have long been a political lightning rod in both countries, but the debate took on new heat in the US last year when the Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 abortion rights ruling known as Roe v. Wade.
Trudeau’s trip to New York also included a focus on trade in critical minerals.
He is scheduled to meet with a UN task force on sustainable development and speak to the influential Council on Foreign Relations think tank.
Experts on both sides of the border are hoping to hear more about how Ottawa plans to rapidly develop the critical minerals sector.
Former diplomat Louise Blais, now a senior adviser with the Business Council of Canada, says it’s time to detail a plan to get that 21st-century wealth off the ground.
Trudeau hopes to build on the momentum from what observers say was a successful and productive visit last month from President Joe Biden.
He also stopped by Global Citizen NOW, an annual summit of celebrities, activists, and lawmakers.
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