US EditionQuebec Constitution: Fréchette Could Remove Article on Abortion if She Wins CAQ Leadership
Christine Fréchette may remove Article 29 protecting abortion rights from Quebec's draft constitution amid opposition from women’s groups and political challenges noted by past ministers.
- On Wednesday, Fréchette is considering removing Article 29 from Quebec's draft constitution, which aims to protect abortion rights, during a press scrum at the National Assembly.
- Amid growing criticism, legal experts and women's-rights groups warned that legislating abortion could invite legal challenges and said rights are already protected by the Charter.
- The CAQ introduced a bill to create a Quebec constitution that includes Article 29, and Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said he has heard concerns but is keeping the provision.
- Consultations on the constitution bill ended this week and The Canadian Press report was published Feb. 19, 2026; several CAQ members said an announcement may be coming soon and cabinet holds final decision-making authority.
- With a new premier due on April 12, 2026, the debate may shift as Martine Biron, former minister of status of women, previously abandoned similar protections.
29 Articles
29 Articles
The Chronicle-Journal
Pressure mounts on Quebec justice minister to backtrack on enshrining abortion rights
QUÉBEC - Pressure is mounting on Quebec's justice minister to formally abandon plans to enshrine abortion rights in the government's proposed constitution, with critics saying the province risks opening the door to legal challenges from anti-abortion groups.
"I think if there is no support, we'll either have to read it otherwise or withdraw it."
Christine Fréchette would withdraw article 29 on abortion from the future Constitution of Quebec, if it did not have the support of women's groups.
Quebec constitution: Fréchette could remove article on abortion if she wins CAQ leadership
Christine Fréchette, who is running to succeed François Legault, is considering removing the controversial Article 29 from Quebec’s draft constitution, which aims to protect the right to abortion.
CAQ leadership: Fréchette could remove article on abortion rights from Quebec constitution bill
Christine Fréchette, a candidate to succeed François Legault, is considering removing the controversial Article 29 from Quebec’s draft constitution, which aims to protect the right to abortion. “I think that if there is no support for it, we will either have to reword it or remove it,” Fréchette said during a press scrum on Wednesday […]
The candidate for the succession of François Legault, Christine Fréchette, is considering withdrawing the controversial article 29 of Quebec's draft constitution, which aims to protect the right to abortion.
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