Executive Summary - excerpted from full report

When Canadians are asked at what point in human development should the law protect human life, a total of about two-thirds say from conception on (31%), after three months of pregnancy (23%) or after six months of pregnancy (10%). Three in ten Canadians (30%) think human life should receive legal protection only from the point of birth. Six percent offer no opinion on this question.

Interestingly, about a third each of Canadians support the view on one end of the spectrum that human life should be legally protected from conception on and on the other end of the spectrum that it should be protected only from birth on. Another third think it should be protected prior to birth but some months after conception.

Longterm tracking data indicate that since this question was first posed in 2002, majorities of Canadians have held the belief that human life should be legally protected some time prior to birth (at conception or after 3 or 6 months of pregnancy), with this view hitting a peak of 68 percent in 2004. Although the total proportion holding this view is four points lower than the peak, it is still eight points higher than the lowest level recorded in 2002 (when this question was first asked).

Majorities across the country believe that human life should receive legal protection some time prior to birth, but this view is highest in Saskatchewan (70%), and lowest in British Columbia (63%, up 10 points from 2005) and Ontario (63%, up 5). However, since 2005, this view is up noticeably in British Columbia and to a lesser extent in Ontario.

The view that human life should be protected from conception on is highest in Manitoba (36%) and lowest in British Columbia (26%). Support for this view also continues to be higher among women (34%) than among men (28%, up 4 points), but has increased among the latter.

The view that human life should receive legal protection only from the point of birth is similar among women (29%) and men (31%), and has declined among the latter since 2005.

Canadians were told that in some states in the U.S., there are "informed consent" laws concerning abortion. These laws require that before a woman has an abortion procedure, her physician must provide her with certain information, such as details on the stages of foetal development, including an ultrasound scan, the possible complications and side effects following an abortion and alternatives to abortion.

When Canadians are asked if they support or oppose similar laws in Canada for women considering abortion, a large majority (71%) continue to be in favour of such laws, while fewer than three in ten (26%) are opposed. Since 2005, support for "informed consent" laws has levelled off after declining slightly last year.

Majorities of Canadians across the country support "informed consent" laws in Canada for women considering abortion, but support is highest in Alberta (81%) and lowest in British Columbia (67%), particularly in Vancouver (59%).

Interestingly, women continue to be as likely as men to be supportive of "informed consent" laws (71% and 72%, respectively).

Canadians were told that at present in Canada, it is legal for minors under the age of 18 to have an abortion without the consent of their parents. When asked if they support or oppose a law that requires minors under the age of 18 to have their parents' consent in order to have an abortion, a majority (55%) continue to be in favour of such a law, while a considerable minority of four in ten (42%) continue to be opposed. These proportions have remained relatively stable since 2004, when this question was first asked.

Majorities of Canadians in nearly all areas of the country (except British Columbia) support a "parental consent" law, but support is highest in Atlantic Canada (63%) and the Prairies (60%). Since 2005, support is up significantly in Manitoba (up 10 points) and down in Saskatchewan (down 10). In British Columbia, opinion remains evenly divided (49% are supportive, 48% are opposed).

Majorities of Canadians aged 30 and older are supportive of a "parental consent" law, while a slight majority of those aged 18 to 29 are opposed to such laws (48% supportive, 52% opposed).

When Canadians are presented with three opinions on the funding of abortions, half (48%) think abortions should be financed using tax dollars, but only in medical emergencies, such as a threat to the mother's life, or in cases of rape or incest. Three in ten (31%) think abortions should always be paid using the tax-funded health care system, while two in ten (18%) take the view that paying for abortions should be a private responsibility, either out-of-pocket or using Blue Cross or other private health care plans. These proportions remain relatively stable since 2005.

Overall, the opinion that abortion should be funded using tax dollars only in cases of medical emergencies is the prevalent view across most of the country. In Quebec and British Columbia, opinion is divided. Interestingly, there are no significant differences between men and women in response to this question.

The view that abortions should always be paid using the tax-funded health care system is highest in British Columbia (40%), particularly Vancouver (44%), and lowest in Atlantic Canada and the Prairies (21% each).