Windsor Regional Hospital Looking Into Safe Access Zone Regulations

Hello time traveller!!
This article is 1874 days old.
The information listed below is likely outdated and has been preserved for archival purposes.

Windsor Regional Hospital has sent a letter to the Attorney General’s office requesting what information is required to make an application for a safe “access zone” and the possible approval timing of  any application.

The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, was passed providing a 50-meter access zone from the property line of any “clinic” providing the services of a therapeutic abortion.

For facilities such as hospitals providing this clinical procedure, unless they apply and the application is approved, the zone is to their property line. This means that for hospitals to have an “access zone” greater than from their property line, they need to apply.

“One needs to be aware that applying for this access zone under the legislation will not take effect immediately and will need approval by the Attorney General of Ontario and Ministry of Health. We have been informed that no hospitals who have applied for a 150-meter access zone have been approved anywhere in the Province, as of today,” the hospital said in a statement.

The hospital says that for the last few years, any “publicly advocating” activities have occurred on the public sidewalk along Tecumseh Road. This is 100 meters from the front entrance of Windsor Regional Hospital’s Met Campus. On limited occasions, those who are publicly advocating have walked on the public sidewalks around the hospital. (Lens Avenue is hospital property between Byng and Kildare).

The 40 Days of Life group that conducts this public advocacy has told the hospital that they plan to limit their activity to either side of Tecumseh Road from the period of March 6th to April 17th, 2019.

The hospital says that since no hospital has been approved for a “safe access” zone, the Board of Directors, through its Board Chair and CEO, will contact the Attorney General.

“In the meantime, the status quo will be maintained and we would continue to appreciate that any advocacy on either side of this issue be safe and respectful and remain limited to Tecumseh Road only. If there are any issues, we will be reaching out to authorities to help address. We will continue to monitor this issue and update the community on any feedback received from the Attorney General of Ontario,” the hospital said.