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In one corner of Canada, the abortion battles are raging anew — and activists on both sides hope the debate will resonate across the country.

Recent events in the Maritimes have shone a light on how much power provinces have to restrict access to abortion even without a federal abortion law. At issue are abortion policies in two provinces, New Brunswick and P.E.I.

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If Fredericton’s Morgentaler Clinic closes at the end of July (which it will if nothing happens to save it), women seeking an abortion in New Brunswick will have to get written approval from two different doctors. The opposition Liberals favour expanded access, and the issue promises to be a centrepiece of this September’s provincial election.

In neighbouring Prince Edward Island, no abortions are performed at all. The provincial government funds abortions at out-of-province hospitals, but won’t pay for one performed at a clinic. A woman needs a doctor’s referral, and that request is reviewed by the Medicare Medical consultant before she makes the trip at her own expense.