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By Canadian Press

Conscience Rights

Kenney says his caucus to get free vote on controversial conscience rights bill

Nov 16, 2019 | 4:41 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says members of his caucus would be free to vote as they wish on a private member’s bill that calls for giving further protection to health workers who invoke conscience rights.

Kenney says his United Conservative caucus allows free votes on issues of conscience.

The bill was put forward last week by United Conservative backbencher Dan Williams.

If passed, it would mean a health-care provider could not be sued or sanctioned for refusing to provide a service such as abortion, assisted dying, or contraception that goes against their moral beliefs.

Right now, Alberta doctors who don’t want to perform those services must refer the patient to someone or to a service that can but the bill raises questions on whether health providers could be sanctioned for failing to do even that.

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Kenney says while he hasn’t read the bill, he hopes everyone respects as a matter of principle the freedom of conscience as outlined in the Charter.

The Alberta Medical Association says the current rules are working and that Williams’ bill is unnecessary and is already causing anxiety for doctors and patients.

Friends of Medicare says Bill 207 puts personal beliefs of health care providers ahead of professional obligations to patients.

“This attempt to create legislation that would allow doctors and nurses to refuse to take part in legal health care services without repercussions is unconscionable in a health care system. It will ultimately hinder Albertans’ ability to access safe and legal health services,” said Sandra Azocar, the group’s executive director.