Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Feb. 29, 2024.Photo by Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press

Liberals take 'softer approach' on pledge to revoke charity status for pregnancy counselling

Trudeau had promised to 'no longer provide charity status to anti-abortion organizations' that offer 'dishonest counselling to women'

by · National Post

OTTAWA — Federal New Democrats are criticizing the Liberals’ plan to allow charities that offer pregnancy counselling to keep their tax status if they advertise that their services exclude abortion — a move that differs from what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had promised during the last federal election. 

In 2021, Trudeau ran on a platform that included a promise to “no longer provide charity status to anti-abortion organizations” that offer what it called “dishonest counselling to women” about their options when it comes to pregnancy.