Premier Ghiz backs abortion rights, no plans for local access

P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says he supports Canadian law and a woman's right to an abortion, but he won't reconsider the province's current position on whether they should be offered in the province.

On Thursday, about 100 people gathered at Province House to call on the Ghiz government to provide local access to abortions. They called the province's position antiquated and said they are concerned about the closure of the Morgantaler clinic in Fredericton where between 60 and 70 Island women had abortions yearly.

"Well obviously there's two sides to every argument. So, you know, it's one of those issues where I think that it's important that we respect the laws of our country," said Ghiz.

"At the same time it's important that we respect everyone's opinion. And that's the approach that we're going to take, but we have no plan to make any changes."

On Wednesday, federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said everyone who runs under his banner in the next election must be pro-choice, with the exception of incumbents.

Ghiz said even though P.E.I. continues to be the only province where abortions are not performed, he doesn't think his Liberal government is out of step with where the federal party is headed on the issue.