Justin Trudeau
Justin TrudeauREUTERS

While Canada has some of the most libertine abortion laws in the world, with no national restrictions whatsoever on the termination of pregnancies and only limited local statues, the government of Justin Trudeau is looking to advance the cause of abortion even further, funding an effort to battle protections for unborn children abroad.

Prime Minister Trudeau announced on Wednesday that his government would spend $650 million to promote birth control access and abortion abroad. Among other things, the plan entails funding for foreign NGOs battling laws restricting abortion in their home countries.

According to an outline of the plan presented by the Trudeau government, Canada will fund efforts in foreign countries dedicated to “removing judicial and legal barriers to the fulfillment of sexual and reproductive health and rights.”

That provision, says Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau, includes advocacy for expansion of abortion access.

“Advocacy is included in our initiative, so yes, we will support local groups and international groups who advocate for women’s rights, including abortion.”

Under Trudeau’s predecessor, Stephen Harper, Canadian foreign aid funded access to contraceptives, but not abortions.