A seemingly enlightened decision by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to have upcoming G8 meetings in Ontario focus on global maternal health has backfired on his government.
Instead of reaping the political benefits of promoting a mainstream, moderate policy issue, the government – by taking a stand against support for foreign aid programs that would fund abortions – has reinforced fears about its so-called secret right-wing agenda.
The Harper government did not need to create such trouble for itself. The maternal-health initiative announced in January was a worthy one and might well have helped Conservatives, desirous of winning a majority government, to broaden their base and boost their appeal among female voters.
But they quickly got sidetracked into a discussion of whether overseas abortions would be funded.
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