There are a few things we should all know about Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit, his personal beliefs on abortion and how they may apply to his job.
Greg Ottenbreit is truly one of the most gracious, decent people you will meet in politics.
He is a devout man and sincere. Sadly, the two don’t always go hand in hand in politics or it life.
But in case of the Yorkton MLA, they truly do.
Furthermore, if his colleagues like Health Minister Jim Reiter suggest that Ottenbreit hasn’t so far allowed his personal beliefs on issues like abortion to get in the way of his duties, we should likely give Ottenbreit the benefit of the doubt.
But while it’s always better to have a good guy represent you in your riding and in cabinet, it isn’t necessarily enough.
It’s critical that an MLA and, especially — and one serving as a minister — remember that they are there to represent all people.
And this is where Ottenbreit has chosen a bad path in the abortion debate, perhaps sending false expectations to the pro-life movement of which he is a member.
Problems started for Ottenbreit last month because of comments he made at the annual gathering of the Saskatchewan Pro-Life Association in his hometown last month.
There remains some question as to whether he was there to bring greetings on behalf of the government representative (which the Saskatchewan Party government says wasn’t the case) or there as a dutiful MLA supporting this cause.
Whatever the case, Ottenbreit crossed a “small line”, according to Premier Scott Moe, by suggesting he would “continue to do what I can in my professional capacity” to address the abortion issue.
Later, Ottenbreit suggested he was only talking about his “professional capacity” as an MLA representing his constituents, but this answer would seem unsatisfactory.
Ottenbreit knows that individual provincial MLAs can do very little in “professional capacity” to address abortion issues.
There are many pro-lifers in the Sask. Party government, including Moe, but the official policy of the governing party is that it respects the federal law permitting abortions in this country.
What everyone — and especially Ottenbreit — would know full well that any influence in his “professional capacity” would involve very specific matters in the abortion debate controlled by provincial jurisdiction.
One such matter would be providing universal coverage for the costs of Mifegymiso — the so-called abortion drug that can terminate pregnancies up to nine weeks. While the Saskatchewan government approved this drug two years ago, this province is one of only two jurisdictions refusing to pay for its public funding medicare.
This is a matter that Ottenbreit is now addressing in his “professional capacity”, as the Sask. Party continues to debate covering the $300 cost of the drug.
As rural and remote health minister, Ottenbreit would have direct input in this decision. We also know that his hometown Parkland Pro-Life Association is on a very specific letter writing to campaign to stop any public funding of this drug — again, something the province can do.
But lest anyone be left with the impression that Pro-Lifers are happy with Ottenbreit and the Sask. Party government, the Yorkton MLA says he now feels he is caught in the middle between the pro-life and pro-choice movements.
There is no “small lines” on the abortion question.
And how displeased pro-lifers may be is evident with talk of them moving their support to the Progressive Conservatives.
This isn’t a threat likely to cost Sask. Party MLAs seats, but the pro-life vote was likely a factor in the Sask. Party leadership.
Ottenbreit appears to have gotten himself and his governing party in a bit of mess over the abortion issue.
Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics for over 22 years.
