Health PEI should be able to provide local access to abortion without political interference, says provincial NDP Leader Mike Redmond.

P.E.I. should proceed with plans for a local abortion clinic, says NDP Leader Mike Redmond. (Matt Rainnie/CBC)

Redmond was responding to a CBC News story revealing that planning for a clinic that would provide abortion services on the Island was cut short by the order of Health Minister Doug Currie.

“It is political interference. The abortion policy was well developed. It would have saved Islanders money that could have been used for other health care services," he said in a news release.

"Robert Ghiz and Doug Currie put politics ahead of women’s health and good management. It is totally unacceptable."

Redmond said the province should take steps to provide women with local access to abortion.

“It is time for Robert Ghiz and Doug Currie to step up to the podium, show the public the business plan in question and announce they are now taking steps to provide local access to abortion services for Island women. They have been caught doing the wrong thing and now it is time to step up and make things right,” concluded Redmond.

P.E.I. Right to Life defends abortion clinic decision

The P.E.I. Right to Life Association was also quick to respond to Monday's news.

P.E.I. Right to Life president Holly Pierlot issued a news release in support of Health Minister Doug Currie's decision to halt planning for an abortion clinic on P.E.I. (CBC)

In a news release president Holly Pierlot said there was no scandal regarding the government's choice to intervene.

"In such a small province with a small population, there is no obligation to localize procedures that lead to the Island's further depopulation," said Pierlot.

"In fact, it is a duty of government to protect the human life of all its citizens. Since when does saving money override saving lives?"

CBC P.E.I. learned the provincial government decided to halt Health PEI's look into establishing a part-time abortion clinic in the province, despite a draft business case showing it would save $37,000.

In the release, Pierlot also took issue with Dr. Rosemary Henderson's efforts to establish the part-time abortion clinic. The medical director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital continued her work on the review after she was told to stop by Health PEI, following a directive of Health Minister Doug Currie.

"It is of great concern when our health professionals dedicate such time and energy to promoting a procedure that has such negative consequences for Island women and Island children," said Pierlot.

The organization has asked Health PEI to provide full disclosure of the short- and long-term risks to women associated with abortion.

CBC PEI has requested to speak to Currie and Valerie Docherty, the minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Currie refused to be interviewed and his office issued a statement, as did Docherty.

"My role is to ensure that the voices of all Island women are considered during policy discussions," Docherty wrote in an email.

"As Minister Currie has noted, Government is meeting its obligations to offer abortion services on a regional basis, similar to the same way we offer other health services, such as cardiac rehab, vascular and pediatric services."