Pro-lifers suspicions’ raised by Vancouver abortuary closing

Justdaysafterasmallgroupofpro-lifersgatheredindrivingraintomarkthe midpointeventof40DaysforLife intheArchdioceseofVancouver,anabortion-relatedannouncementhasleftpro-lifersreactingwithcautioushope:after35yearsofperformingabortions,theElizabethBagshawClinicwillcloseitsdoorsbytheendofJune. Ina statement,thecliniccitedfundinguncertaintyandchangeswithintheprovincialhealth-caresystemaskeyreasonsforthedecision. Theclinic’sboardsaidtheclosurewasdrivenbystructuralchallenges,includingVancouverCoastalHealth’s(VCH)plantoconsolidatereproductivehealthservicesintoasingle-provider,single-sitemodel.Itsaidrelocatingdidnotmakefinancialsenseduetolimitedfundingandanupcomingleaseexpiry. CBCNewsreportedthatVCHisconsideringmergingthethreereproductivehealthclinicsitfunds—ElizabethBagshaw,Everywoman’sHealthCentreandWillowReproductiveHealthServices—intoonelocationtoincreaseservicecapacityandfinancialsustainability.However,detailsontheexa