Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has issued a news release which says, in part:

“I am now working with Finance and Treasury Board officials to ensure that the spending of taxpayer dollars will be limited only to those programs that are efficient and effective.… So there are certainly some tough decisions ahead, and that’s why I look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions.”

I’ve responded to the Finance Minister; and I hope you will, too.

Here’s what I wrote:

Dear Mr. Minister,

During the 37th and 38th Parliaments, members of the Official Opposition asked the Liberal government to produce evidence that abortion was “medically necessary”, as required by the Canada Health Act. The Liberal government was unable to do so.

Since this is now the most common surgical procedure in Canada, it diverts many millions of dollars from procedures that are medically necessary. In addition, it kills half its patients, and subjects the other half to increased risk of breast cancer, sterility, and psychological distress; and it greatly increases the risk for the mother that subsequent pregnancies will result in premature and/or low birth-weight babies—conditions which place additional burdens on the health-care system.

Will the government, in the May 2, 2006 budget, de-fund this medically unnecessary procedure?

Ron Gray,
Langley, BC
CC – Mark Warawa, MP