History of abortion law in Canada, an acquittal for criminal contempt, and credibility in criminal cases

This week on Legally Speaking with Michael Mulligan: The leaked draft decision on abortion from the US Supreme Court has raised questions concerning the law in Canada. For 100 years in Canada, from 1869 until 1969, having or performing an abortion was a criminal offence in Canada. In 1969 the Criminal Code was amended to permit abortions but only when a committee of doctors certified that a woman’s life or health was in danger. As “health” was not defined, the interpretation of this exce...