nancy ruth sparked controversy on may 3, 2010, with comments she made during a meeting with women's equality rights groups on parliament hill. the groups were among many who had leveled criticisms at the conservative government for maintaining their refusal to include funding for abortions in their maternal health plan for the g8, even after finally agreeing to include family planning measures such as contraception. nancy ruth fired back at the groups, telling them, "we've got five weeks or whatever left until the g8 starts. shut the fuck up on this issue," she said. "if you push it, there'll be more backlash. this is now a political football. this is not about women's health in this country". nancy ruth also said, "canada is still a country with free and accessible abortion. leave it there. don't make this an election issue."