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American vice president Mike Pence told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Thursday he was “proud to be part of a pro-life administration” and that the Trump administration “will always stand for the sanctity of life.”
Pence made the remarks after a reporter questioned him and Trudeau on abortion at a press conference in Ottawa, where the two men have been meeting to discuss ratifying the new United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal.
Trudeau declared before the meeting he would tell Pence during his first visit to Canada as vice president he believed the United States is “backsliding on women’s rights.”
Canada’s prime minister, who has made unfettered access to abortion the cornerstone of his foreign and domestic policy, has decried the multiple pro-life bills being passed at the state level in the United States.
And in the lead-up to Canada’s federal election in October, Trudeau and the Liberals have been stoking the abortion issue, positioning themselves as champions of women’s “right to choose,” and the Conservatives as a threat.
“Obviously, I’m very concerned with the situation around the backsliding of women’s rights that we’re seeing through Conservative movements here in Canada, in the United States and around the world. I will have a broad conversation with the vice-president,” Trudeau said Wednesday.
Trudeau confirmed at Thursday’s press conference he and Pence discussed abortion, along with a number of concerns such as China and Venezuela, during their closed-door sessions.
“I highlighted to the vice president that there was a significant amount of concern among Canadians on the new anti-choice laws being passed in America, a number of American states,” Trudeau said.
He also “highlighted” to Pence “that Canadians and indeed this government will always be a staunch defender of women’s rights and a woman’s right to choose,” Trudeau added.
“It was a cordial conversation but it is one on which we have very different perspectives,” he said.
Pence agreed that “one of the great things about the relationship between the United States and Canada is we’re able to be candid with one another,” but left no doubt as to his convictions.
“But let me be clear. I’m very proud to be part of a pro-life administration, and our administration has taken steps to stand for the sanctity of life at home and abroad,” Pence said.
“What we find troubling is the Democratic Party in our country, and even leaders around the country, supporting late-term abortion, even infanticide,” he added.
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[Editor’s Note: This article was written by Lianne Laurence and originally published at LifeSite News. Title changed by P&P.]
