Trudeau cites father’s influence in ‘personal reflection’ on abortion stance

Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau

OTTAWA — Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is offering a “personal reflection” on his position regarding Liberal election candidates and abortion.

In an email to supporters, Trudeau says he understands and empathizes with anyone who has concerns about his decision to turn away new candidates who are unwilling to vote pro-choice on relevant Liberal legislation.

He says his father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, was a staunch Catholic who went to church every Sunday and read his children the Bible.

But Trudeau says his father also recognized that political leaders must represent the larger community, and had no problem legalizing divorce and decriminalizing homosexuality.

Toronto’s Roman Catholic archbishop, Cardinal Thomas Collins, has written to Trudeau, urging him to allow candidates to be faithful to their conscience.

Trudeau says while he welcomes input from the prelate, his party is committed to the values laid out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.