OTTAWA, May 4 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper could take an even harder line against abortion if women's groups keep complaining, a Conservative senator said.
Harper's government recently announced it no longer would support abortion as any part of its foreign-aid focus on maternal health, even though abortion is legal in Canada.
Women's health groups and international development advocates alarmed by the policy Monday were told in raw language to keep silent until the Group of Eight meeting in Canada in June, The Toronto Star reported Tuesday.
"Shut the (expletive) up on this issue," said Sen. Nancy Ruth, a member of the Conservative Caucus from Ontario.
Ruth, a supporter of abortion rights, said she believes the final communique of the G8 will include a mention of Canada's support for family planning, but not if Harper continues to be criticized.
Green Party leader Elizabeth May Monday called Harper's policy "dark days" for Canadian citizens who are dedicated to women's rights.
