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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.