Two pregnancy resource centres in southern Manitoba are speaking up about a recent Liberal government announcement regarding charities.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that the Liberal government is introducing legislation to require charities that offer pregnancy counselling to disclose whether they also offer abortion and birth control or referral to those services.
"We offer education and we also offer practical support to women, in the form of peer counselling, support groups, diapers, and rent. We really want to walk alongside women in pregnancy and beyond," says Susan Penner, Executive Director of Life Culture in Steinbach.
If the new legislation passes, Penner isn't quite sure if it will directly affect them and their work.
"We've had these threats before and nothing has happened in the past. We are also not formally a pregnancy resource centre but we do offer some services that would be consistent with that. Still, now, we've had a very positive relationship with the CRA. That could change, depending on this legislation."
Minister Freeland said these pro-life groups were "masquerading" as organizations that offer full-service pregnancy supports, "when in reality they push women away from accessing some services such as abortion."
Penner sees it as the exact opposite.
"I would like to know which women are being misled. I haven't heard from women who are being misled into choosing life. If anything, I see the side where far more women are being misled into having abortions. The women who walk through the doors of a pregnancy resource centre are choosing to do so."
Honesty is the Best Policy
Juergen Severloh is the Executive Director of the Family Support Centre in Winnipeg. They were formerly known as the Crisis Pregnancy Centre and offer support for women at every stage of pregnancy.
"It's a terrible sort of thought, kind of like thought police," says Severloh of the proposed changes.
"Honesty, the one they're talking about, is a reasonable expectation. I think all charities and counselling should strive towards being as honest as they can. The highest priority we have at our centre is the relationship with our clients. If we weren't clear about what we do, we would lose their trust."
The Family Support Centre in Winnipeg serves women who are looking to carry to term as well as women who aren't sure of their next steps and choices.
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"One of the problems with crisis is that we put on blinders," says Severloh. "We only look at this one problem. What happens is, we make decisions quickly. Quick decisions in the middle of a crisis is a bad idea. If you're pregnant, you have time. Our culture provides for abortion right through the whole process of the baby's development. So you have time. Take some time and talk to people you trust. Google everything and check out everything you can to find out what the options are."
The Family Support Centre is not funded by the government so they would not be directly affected no matter what legislation is passed.
Life Culture on the other hand could be negatively affected. Both organizations also offer support for women who have chosen abortion.