Access to Abortion Services Act

The Access to Abortion Services Act is a law in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Enacted in September 1995, it protects access to abortion services by limiting demonstrations outside of abortion clinics, doctor's offices, and doctor's homes. It creates an "access zone" around the facility in which such activities as protesting, sidewalk counseling, intimidation of or physical interference with abortion providers or their patients are prohibited. This distance varies depending upon the building's type, with protests outside of doctor's offices being restricted to coming within 10 metres, up to 50 metres for hospital or clinic, and 160 metres for a doctor's home.[5][6]

Access to Abortion Services Act
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
CitationRSBC 1996 c 1
Enacted byLegislative Assembly of British Columbia
Royal assentJune 29, 1995[1]
CommencedSeptember 18, 1995
Legislative history
Bill48
Introduced byPaul Ramsey, Minister of Health
First readingJune 19, 1995[2]
Second readingJune 22, 1995[3]
Third readingJune 27, 1995[4]
Status: In force

On January 23, 1996, a court overturned the provisions which prohibited protesting and sidewalk counselling on the grounds that both violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms[7]. Both provisions were restored in October 1996.[8]

The following cases involve the Access to Abortion Services Act:

  • R v. Lewis (1996)
  • R. v. Demers (2003)
  • Watson v R.; Spratt v R. (2007)

See also

References
  1. Law Clerk (June 29, 1995). "Supply Act, 1995-96". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). British Columbia: Legislative Assembly. p. 16513.
  2. Paul Ramsey, Minister of Health (June 19, 1995). "Access to Abortion Services Act". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). British Columbia: Legislative Assembly. p. 15668.
  3. Paul Ramsey, Minister of Health (June 22, 1995). "Access to Abortion Services Act". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). British Columbia: Legislative Assembly. p. 16020.
  4. The Speaker (June 27, 1995). "Access to Abortion Services Act". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). British Columbia: Legislative Assembly. p. 16232.
  5. "Access to Abortion Services Act". bclaws.ca. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  6. Crane, Don (1995). "Synopsis â€“ Access to Abortion Services Act". Pro-Choice Press. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
  7. "R. v. Lewis".
  8. "Abortion in Canada Today: The Situation Province-by-Province". Childbirth by Choice Trust. June 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
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