Birth-defect dispute tests surrogacy ethics in Canada

A Canadian same-sex couple is suing the surrogate who carried their child after she refused their request to terminate the pregnancy at 22 weeks due to a minor birth defect (cleft lip). The baby was born generally healthy, and doctors advised no major problems beyond the defect, but the couple alleges they weren’t fully informed and that confidentiality was violated. The surrogate, who was reimbursed only for expenses under Canadian rules, says abortion at that stage wouldn’t have been medically warranted and cites the home birth arrangement as well as the contract’s arbitration clause. The family is reportedly seeking around $600,000. The case highlights legal and ethical questions around surrogacy in Canada and how protections differ from those in the U.S.