The Angus Reid Institute released the on Thursday poll results conducted with 1,805 Canadians last August, in the wake of the intensification of the abortion debate in the United States following the annulment of the judgment deer v. wade. In particular, this new probe confirms that Québecs are much more pro-abortion than residents of other Canadian provinces.

“Quebecians are most likely to describe themselves as ‘completely pro-election,’ with a strong majority (59%) taking this view,” reveals the Angus Reid Institute article presenting the poll results. For example, 5% of Quebecers say they are “completely pro-life” and 37% “somewhere in between”.

In Canada as a whole, 52% of the population say they are “completely pro-choice,” meaning they believe, using Angus Reid’s criteria, that abortion should be legal at any stage of pregnancy. Eight percent of Canadians are “absolutely hostile to life” and 37 percent are “somewhere in between”.

Alberta is the least “completely pro-choice” province, with 42% of respondents identifying with this statement. Nine percent of Albertans say they are “completely against life,” and 48 percent say they fall “somewhere in between,” the highest rate among Canadian provinces. However, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have the most prolifers at 13%.

“There is a long history of good public services in Quebec,” says Kelly Bowden, director of policy and government relations at Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights. Quebecers are more likely to have had positive abortion experiences, and socialization is very important in forming opinions. »

Shachi KurlPresident of the Angus Reid Institute and political analyst, points out the influence of Henry Morgentaler to explain the Quebec results. This doctor, who is behind the 1988 Supreme Court decision that led to the decriminalization of abortion in the country, has a long history of practicing – among other things – illegal abortions in Montreal. “He must have had a big impact because it was such an important decision,” says M^me Kurl.

“On the other hand, she says, conservative values ​​remain very important in Alberta and Saskatchewan. People cling to values ​​they consider traditional, especially in relation to fetal life and rights. »

The Influence of the United States

M^me Kurl says the Angus Reid Institute conducted its survey last August precisely because “in Canada, there is more debate surrounding the repeal of the deer v. wade of the United States Supreme Court.

According to M^me Bowden, “What has happened in the United States has certainly accelerated some conversations elsewhere, particularly in Canada.” But according to her, we shouldn’t think that several American states are restricting that right to abortion currently, Canada may also experience “a setback” on this issue. On the contrary: “You see more progress and openness when you assess the situation around the world,” she says.

M^me Kurl says that given the recent intensification of the debate in Canada and the United States, she feels several recent polls and articles are “lacking nuance.” For this reason, in this latest survey, she wanted to highlight the different perceptions “that could be found between the strictly binary options that are ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice'”.

Among other things, the poll found that of the 41% of Canadians who consider themselves “somewhere in between,” 36% believe abortion should be legal until the fetus’s first heartbeat is heard, which is up to about 15 weeks . Eight percent would go to fetal viability, meaning until the fetus can survive outside the womb, which is about 24 weeks. 23% fall between these two options and 33% remain unsure.

A medical intervention “like the others”

Earlier this week, the Angus Reid Institute revealed other data from the same surveynamely that “Two-thirds of people who report having had a surgical or procedural abortion say it was ultimately the right choice for them and they have no regrets.”

For example, 6% of those who had an abortion regret it and would have preferred a different option, while 65% say they made the right decision and have no regrets. Of the women who carried an unwanted pregnancy to term, 10% regret it and 54% say they made the right decision.

“There are still many taboos surrounding abortion, as well as an increase in online misinformation about health care in general,” says Ms.^me Bowden. When women have an abortion, some come with prejudice and eventually understand that it is a medical procedure like any other. »

She, too, is pleased with the results of the survey, which she believes show that “Canadian women feel they can make decisions for themselves, regardless of their opinions.”

To see in the video