The federal government has tabled legislation that, if passed, would compel pregnancy care charities to make public disclosures to keep their registered charitable status. 

Pro-life pregnancy centres would be required to visibly communicate whether or not they directly offer abortion or other birth control prescriptions, devices or procedures under this proposal introduced by the Department of Finance. If aid organizations do not deliver these services directly, they must divulge if they share the information on obtaining such assistance and the contact information for another provider.

According to this decree, bus ads, posters, billboards, social media posts or website content that “advertises the information, advice, or services that it provides relating to the prevention, preservation, or termination of pregnancy,” would constitute adequate public-facing communication.

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The Minister of National Revenue would be empowered to strip a charity of its registration if it does not meet all the requirements above.  

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland asserted that this act “to protect reproductive freedom is about stopping dishonest organizations from restricting a woman’s access to the reproductive care that is best for her.”

Freeland collaborated on this bill with Marci Ien, the minister of women, gender equality and youth.

Laura Lewis, the executive director of Pregnancy Care Canada (PCC), a Christ-centred organization providing 80 pregnancy centres with resources, education and support, called on the federal government to “ stop using false labels and mischaracterizations of the good work done daily across Canada at local pregnancy care centres and online.”

“Their words impede the access, freedom, and choice of the very women they claim to protect,” continued Lewis in a statement posted to the Pregnancy Care Canada website. “Canadian women deserve better, and Canadians expect more from their leaders than to see charities used as a pre-election political wedge.”

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The website statement also outlines that any PCC-affiliated centre had already been fulfilling the disclosure requirements introduced by the government as part of its best practices. 

Every client is asked to read a Limitation of Services form, which articulates that the centre does not provide nor assist in providing abortions. This disclaimer is also posted on each centre’s website. 

“If a client chooses to pursue an abortion, a PCC-affiliated centre will not mislead or obstruct this decision,” stated Lewis. “If a client requests help in obtaining an abortion, she is advised to consult the appropriate professional. She is also encouraged to return for post-abortion support if desired.”

According to 2023 data from the PCC, 48,855 women and men accessed support at PCC-affiliated pregnancy care centres. Nearly 8,000 patrons received diapers, formula and clothing; almost 1,500 engaged in parenting programs; and 418 women requested and received post-abortion support.

Jeff Gunnarson, the national president of Campaign Life Coalition, the political arm of the Canadian pro-life movement also criticized the bill. He declared that “the Liberal party is once again reaffirming that it is not the party of ‘choice’ but the party of abortion as the only choice.” 

Gunnarson added that “stripping pro-life charities of their charitable status jeopardizes the very existence of these crucial organizations. They would be forced to close, leaving the women and babies they serve without the support they need.”

Carol Butler, the executive director of the Haldimand Pregnancy Care and Family Centre in Dunnville and Caledonia, Ont., spoke at a rally on Parliament Hill in late November 2021, the last period before now when the Liberal Party’s outcry at pro-life pregnancy centres was so pronounced. In a statement to The Catholic Register, Butler renewed the invitation she extended during her Nov. 29 speech: for key government leaders to go on a fact-finding tour.

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“Pregnancy Care & Family Resource Centres exist to support, through many different programs and services, women and families facing life challenges,” wrote Butler. “The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister continue to perpetuate incorrect information about pregnancy centres.  This approach is not helping women, children, and families, and who may be in abusive relationships or situations, to reach out and access the support and resources they need.

“The Haldimand Pregnancy Care and Family Centre again extends an invitation (originally sent in November 2021 and to which there was no courtesy of a reply) to Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland, to visit the centre and to witness firsthand the services available for individuals and families,” continued Butler. “And to gain a factual understanding of the essential work that is done by pregnancy centres that are serving communities acorss Canada.”