Although it is now law in Alberta, the United Conservative Party (UCP) still has no intention of “engaging” on the Protecting Choice for Women Accessing Health Care Act (Bill 9), says party House leader and area MLA Jason Nixon.
The legislation creates a 50-metre safe zone around abortion clinics. It passed into law on May 30, with all UCP MLAs abstaining from voting.
“It took the government 56-plus days to move that through the legislature and it was not being blocked by anybody,” Nixon said. “It took a while for them to get that through which I think showed what our leader (Jason Kenney) has said, which is this was largely being used as a political bill to attack Mr. Kenney and that’s why he chose not to engage on that.”
The UCP declined to take part in any of the debates or voting on the legislation.
Asked if the UCP would repeal the legislation if it forms government in 2019, Nixon said, “We have been clear on our view on this, that we are not engaging or legislating on this issue.
“We are not engaging on any legislation associated with this issue. We are not legislating on this issue.”
Asked if he personally supports the legislation, Nixon said, “Our position has been clear as a caucus that we believe that the overall issue is a federal issue that has been discussed.
“We believe that the NDP is playing political games and we are not going to engage in that on behalf of Albertans.”
As well as being UCP House leader, Nixon is the MLA for Rimby-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre.
Health Minister Sarah Hoffman reportedly called the new legislation “a pivotal moment in Alberta’s history”.
“Alberta women are tired of being bullied and harassed when they access health care,” said Hoffman.
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills UCP MLA Nathan Cooper did not immediately respond to a request for an interview on Bill 9.
