The federal Liberal candidate for the new riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas doesn't believe her pro-life views will conflict with her party's pro-choice stance.

But Filomena Tassi won't rule out voting for some version of an abortion law.

A chaplain at Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School in Ancaster, Tassi says she doesn't believe in the criminalization of abortion. Nor does she believe the issue will ever come up in Parliament due to pledges from the Conservatives and Liberals not to reopen the debate.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau declared in May he wants candidates to understand they will be expected to vote pro-choice on any bills if they come to Ottawa.

Asked how she would vote if a private member's bill is introduced calling for an abortion law, Tassi said, "I'm not for criminalization, but you know what? You've got to see that (the bill).

"No one can say categorically whether they would support something like that or not support something like that... Let's see what you are showing me and then I will make the decision."

She said her "personal view is that I'm pro-life" but also described herself as "for-life."

Tassi, 52, defeated five others to win the nomination at a jam-packed meeting Tuesday at the Dundas legion. More than 600 people voted and Tassi said she garnered 321 votes. The former Catholic school trustee and former provincial Liberal candidate has worked at Bishop Tonnos since 2004.

"I understand and accept the fact that there is a legal right for a woman to have an abortion," she continued. "I'm doing nothing to touch this... It's a decided matter. The courts decided what it is... No one wants to have an abortion. They do it because of the ends that they are trying to achieve. I am sensitive to the person.

"I've talked to girls who have had abortions. I haven't helped them have abortions, but I look at the person. I support the person and I do whatever I can to help that person."

Tassi will be one of 55 nominated Liberals from across Ontario who are gathering in Hamilton this weekend for a candidate's school.

The three-day event will be attended by 200 people and feature sessions on how to be a campaign manager, how to make speeches and how to deal with the media.

Trudeau will tap into the event via Skype on Saturday from Moncton.