Canadian pro-choice organizations mourn the death of Dr. George Tiller

June 3, 2009

We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the murder of Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kansas on May 31, 2009 in his church. Our thoughts and condolences are with all of his family, his staff and the members of his immediate community during this very difficult time.

With Dr. Tiller’s murder, we have lost a doctor who was deeply committed to women’s health and well-being. He was one of only a handful of doctors in North America that could provide women with an abortion during later stages of pregnancy, including women from Canada. This is an essential service for women facing very difficult and complex situations.

Dr. Tiller was committed to ensuring women’s reproductive freedom. He faced regular protests and opposition to this work and his clinic, including other attempts on his life, and despite this, he remained committed to women and their reproductive health.  The loss is enormous and is deeply felt by members of the pro-choice community, and the women who relied on his skills and dedication.

Canadian Federation for Sexual Health (CFSH)
Canadians for Choice (CFC)
Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC)
Fédération du Québec pour le planning des naissances (FQPN)
Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD)
Pro-Choice New Brunswick
New Brunswick Rebelles
Société des femmes philosophes
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Elizabeth Bagshaw Women’s Clinic
CUPE 1979
Action Canada for Population and Development
BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre
Clinique gynéco‐obstétrique pour adolescentes, CHU Sainte‐Justine
North York Women’s Shelter (Toronto)
Planned Parenthood ‐ Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Health Centre
Sexual Health Centre for Lunenburg County (Nova Scotia)
CSSS Champlain, CLSC Saint‐Hubert
OPTIONS Sexual Health Associations (Edmonton)
Sexual Health Access Alberta
Halifax Sexual Health Centre 
Fédération interpofessionnelle de la santé du Québec
Sexuality Educations Resource Centre (Manitoba)