Fredericton's Morgentaler abortion clinic closing after 20 year fight

by Craig Takeuchi on April 11th, 2014 at 11:45 AM

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The Morgentaler clinic in Fredericton, the only private abortion clinic in New Brunswick, announced on April 10 that it will close in late July after a 20-year battle with the provincial government for funding.

The province, which has the most restrictive abortion policies in Canada, is the only one in the nation that will not cover abortions at a private abortion clinic.

There are only two New Brunswick hospitals where abortion services are provided but the province will only pay for abortions if a woman gets approval from two doctors who deem the procedure "medically necessary".

Dr. Henry Morgentaler, a pro-choice crusader who has fought for Canadian abortion rights, opened the facility in June 1994. The clinic has provided abortion services to over 10,000 women, including clients from Prince Edward Island. It is the only private abortion clinic east of Montreal. It has contributed over $105,400 to subsidize abortions for women unable to pay the full amount.

The clinic has faced numerous financial problems, which Morgentaler covered. When the clinic sustained over $100,000 in flood damages in 2008, the clinic did not receive any financial compensation from the government (as other Fredericton businesses did) because the building was owned by Morgentaler who was not a New Brunswick citizen.

Morgentaler launched a lawsuit against the province in 2002 to force it to pay for procedures at the clinic. The lawsuit has been in limbo since Morgentaler died on May 29, 2013.

In 2008, he was awarded the Order of Canada for his dedication to improving health care for women. He opened his first abortion clinic in Montreal in 1969 even though abortions were against the law at the time.

In spite of facing numerous legal battles, anti-abortion protests, physical attacks, firebombs, and death threats, Morgentaler persevered and continued to open 20 clinics and train numerous doctors.

The Fredericton clinic was featured in Karen Cho's 2012 NFB documentary Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada.