Abortion rights: Maritimers react to overturning of Roe vs. Wade
It's a United States Supreme Court decision that has created headlines and shockwaves around the world, and here in the Maritimes.
Bri Berardinelli is with the group Pro-Choice Cape Breton.
She was among the many who were outraged when the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling, recognizing a woman's right to an abortion, was overturned by the U.S.’s top court on Friday.
"As womb-bearing people, we have that right to have that choice with our bodies," Berardinelli said. "And I find it's just so unfair that it's always these older, rich white men that are making the decisions of what we can do with our bodies when they have no idea what it's even like."
Martha Paynter is a registered nurse who provides abortions. She also helped organize a rally in Halifax on Saturday that protested the decision south of the border.
She says there could be ripple effects here in this country that ought to be prepared for.
"We need to enthusiastically advance our access to abortion and general reproductive health care services," Paynter said. "There very well may be increased demand, we don't really know yet, from U.S. patients."
With abortion and women’s rights issues top of mind these days, Paynter says there's another change here in Canada she'd like to see.
"We have public funding for abortion care, we don't have public funding for contraception," Paynter said. "And that's ridiculous. If we have so-called feminist politicians saying they will stand up for us, we need that. It's a big ticket item, and we want it first."
With the Supreme Court ruling already made in the United States, advocates here say their focus is on making their voices heard.
"If the U.S. sees that there's enough allies even around the world, maybe they'd reconsider the decision that they've made," Berardinelli said. "Because they're already preparing for riots to start breaking out."
However, there are some who see the issue differently, including some Republicans and religious Conservatives.
Back in Cape Breton, Berardinelli said she isn’t aware of any rallies or protests planned in the Sydney area as of yet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.