Canada election 2025: Party leaders' stances on abortion and reproductive rights
Canada is just a few days away from a federal election.
A record 7.3 million Canadians opted to vote in advance during Easter weekend, with some polling stations seeing hours-long waits.
There are plenty of issues at the forefront of this election that are weighing on voters’ minds ahead of general election day on Monday, April 28.
The cost-of-living crisis in Canada affects people’s ability to afford a home and buy groceries, which are major talking points in the parties’ platforms, to the extent that many of them are campaigning on promises of tax cuts this election.
Access to healthcare is also a big concern, especially for women and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The U.S. Supreme Court shocked not only Americans but the world in 2022 when it overturned Roe v. Wade, the historic ruling that gave the constitutional right to a safe and legal abortion.
Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada
While no laws are preventing Canadians from having an abortion, it is important to note that a person’s choice to get one is not a protected right under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as it was in the U.S. since 1973.
With debates surrounding a person’s right to choose still prevalent, let’s examine the stances of the Liberal, Conservative, and NDP leaders on reproductive rights and access to care.
Liberal leader Mark Carney
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The Liberal Party’s track record with reproductive rights has been pro-choice. When Roe v. Wade was overturned three years ago, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau condemned the decision.
Current Prime Minister Mark Carney maintains this stance. During a press conference in March, Global News asked the former Bank of Canada governor whether he “explicitly supports a woman’s right to choose” as a practicing Catholic.
“I absolutely support a woman’s right to choose. Unreservedly. And will defend it as the Liberal Party has defended it, proudly and consistently,” he answered with no hesitation.
His party platform reflects this position, pledging to make the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund Program permanent, “so that there will always be funding for abortion care in Canada, with access to reproductive care protected for underserved communities.”
Aside from access to abortion, the Liberal Party is also promising to establish a new in vitro fertilization (IVF) program that provides up to $20,000 for a single standard cycle of IVF treatment and invest in more research on postpartum maternal health.
According to the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada’s (ARCC) latest report on Members of Parliament with an anti-choice stance, the Liberal Party has four anti-choice MPs and 148 pro-choice MPs.
Some negatives ARCC has highlighted in the Liberals’ record on reproductive rights include a lack of urgency, denying sexual and reproductive health funding in January 2025, and “using abortion as a wedge issue to attack Conservatives.”
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre
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Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has a history of voting for parliamentary bills that are anti-choice. This includes Bill C-484 in 2008, Bill C-510 in 2010, Bill M-312 in 2012, Bill C-225 in 2016 and Bill C-311 in 2023.
ARCC also lists Poilievre as having an anti-choice stance, alongside all of the Conservative MPs.
While the party may hold this position, Poilievre recently promised Canada that if the Conservative government takes hold in this election, it will not pass any laws restricting abortion.
Still, as shown with the bills Poilievre has voted in, ARCC notes that Conservative MPs continue to attempt to limit abortion rights within the party.
The Conservative party platform does not mention anything about abortion or reproductive rights.
“Although Pierre Poilievre has stated that abortion is not a priority for his party, his support for provincial autonomy over healthcare issues could potentially lead to provinces curbing abortion access if they choose to, without federal intervention,” explained ARCC.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh
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NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has been vocal about a person’s right to make their own choices. In October, Singh used the party’s opposition day in the House of Commons to force a vote on a motion to combat the rise of anti-choice bills and petitions in Canada and improve access to abortion.
In an email to Daily Hive, the NDP says it also promises to reverse Liberal cuts to sexual and reproductive health organizations and make the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund permanent.
The party also promised to provide long-term funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ groups and “end the creeping erosion of access to reproductive health services by providing permanent, stable funding to make sure those facing barriers can access abortion care.”
ARCC also highlighted the NDP’s pledge to implement a universal pharmacare program that would cover prescription contraceptives.
” This initiative aims to eliminate the financial barriers that many Canadians face in accessing birth control, ensuring that cost does not impede reproductive choices,” explained ARCC.
The pro-choice advocacy group says the negatives of the NDP’s record on reproductive rights include its limited legislative success and internal party divisions.
Do you have any concerns about reproductive rights in Canada as the election approaches? Send us your thoughts at trending@dailyhive.com.