Norma Scarborough and Henry Morgentaler hold a copy of The Toronto Star with front-page headlines announcing the historic Supreme Court decision taken on January 28, 1988, stating that Canada’s abortion law is not legal.
Photo by Lorna Rapson Ferguson
In 1974, Norma Scarborough and Dr. Henry Morgentaler were among the founding members of CARAL (Canadian Association for the Repeal of the Abortion Law). Over 100 people from across Canada attended that first meeting in Ottawa, which included an educational lobby of Members of Parliament.
Norma remained one of the leading forces in building a powerful pro-choice movement through the 1970s and 80s. The opening of stand-alone abortion clinics also directly challenged the law, and when juries refused to convict Dr. Morgentaler, the issue went to the Supreme Court, which ruled that Canada’s abortion law was unconstitutional.
Over 30 years after this historic 1988 victory, there are still barriers to equitable access to abortion and reproductive healthcare. The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada continues the fight to eliminate these obstacles and protect against anti-choice forces organizing to defund abortion services and reimpose restrictions.
Read about key moments in the fight for reproductive rights: https://riseupfeministarchive.ca/…/reproductive-rights…/