OTTAWA - A leaked draft of the final communique for the coming G8 summit suggests Canada may have dodged a political bullet on the thorny issues of abortion and climate change.

The draft, obtained by The Canadian Press, shows the world's most powerful countries are prepared to throw money at "all factors" affecting the health of women and children in poor countries, but it doesn't specifically mention abortion.

The Harper government has been under fire for insisting it will not fund abortion as part of its G8 maternal health plan, now known as the "Muskoka Initiative."

There is no agreement yet on specific funding for the maternal initiative, climate change, food security or aid to developing countries, despite strong words urging concrete measures.

"Action is required on all factors that affect the health of women and children," the document says. "This includes addressing gender inequality, ensuring women's and children's rights and improving education for women and girls."

Instead of singling out abortion for funding, the document refers only to the need to strengthen "voluntary family planning," likely giving Ottawa the wiggle room it seeks to avoid supporting access to safe abortion in poor countries.

The draft also shows that countries are still negotiating how much they should spend on the maternal and child health initiative. Sources have told The Canadian Press that Canada is willing to put up about $1 billion as long as other countries contribute as well. But in the draft communique, the total amount is still just an "X."

Read more:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/greenpage/environment/leaked-draft-of-g8-communique-dodges-abortion-issue-flexible-on-climate-change-95645804.html