By Anna Mehler Paperny

TORONTO, (Reuters) – Canada’s Prime Minister & Deputy Prime Minister affirmed their support for women’s choice after a leak of a draft ruling suggesting that the United States Supreme Court might reject a major decision legalizing abortion.

Bloc Quebecois is a federal party that moved Tuesday in Canada’s Parliament to allow women “free will” in the issue of abortion.

Chrystia, the Deputy Prime Minister of Chrystia Freeland stated that she was both shocked and deeply troubled by the ruling leaked to media. Her government is committed to keeping a woman’s freedom to choose.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that “We won’t back down from protecting women’s rights throughout Canada and the globe.”

The 1988 landmark decision by Canada’s Supreme Court to decriminalize abortion was a significant victory. Ostensibly abortion was a medical procedure just like every other since 1988. Access to abortion is not always easy, particularly for residents living in rural areas.

Canada’s highest court won’t re-criminalize abortion anytime soon, but if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court that could empower anti-abortion movements. This would be a catalyst for abortion advocates. Canadian activists and observers both pro and conscientious about abortion said to Reuters.

Judy Rebick said that the U.S. ruling will not be finalized until June and “definitely give juice” to anti-abortion groups. Judy Rebick has been advocating for access to abortion in Canada ever since Henry Morgentaler broke the ban in 1980.

Rebick stated that abortion opponents are more likely to face a difficult battle in Canada where there is a lot of community support from decades ago.

“You have an enormous pro-choice majority, which has mobilized multiple times over.”

Jack Fonseca is the director of political operations at the anti-abortion Campaign Life Coalition. He predicted a pro-life boom if Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. People will be looking for ways to change the situation south of the border.

Fonseca stated that while Canadian abortion advocates wait for an anti–abortion political sea shift, Fonseca suggested his group might push for interim measures like a removal of abortion from the health service provinces coverage.

Emmett Macfarlane, a political scientist, stated that Canada will not see a similar reduction in abortion access at a national level. This is because the country’s highest court is more partisan and less polarized than the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Who does this mobilize?” is what I will be paying attention to. Is this going to mobilize Canada’s anti-choice movement? Or are they complacent about it? Is it a cause for concern?

Carolyn Egan was calling her phone Tuesday morning, filled with outraged people who “wanted to do something,” according to the organizer of Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics.

It’s raising a clearion call.