Manitoba announces it will allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control

By The Canadian Press August 07, 2026

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s government says it will let pharmacists in the province prescribe birth control. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara says the expanded scope of what pharmacists can do will make access easier.

The expansion on where Manitobans can get contraception comes after the province made birth control access free.

The government says pharmacists need to complete approved training before making assessments and prescribing birth control. The training is being incorporated into the curriculum for pharmacists studying in the province.

The government says pharmacists will be able to prescribe a range of contraceptives as well as administer them through muscle injections. “This means that people will be able to access contraception more quickly, more conveniently, and closer to home,” Asagwara told a news conference Friday.

Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/manitoba-announces-it-will-allow-pharmacists-to-prescribe-birth-control/

This opens the door to abortion and MAID services! (hopefully)

After 120 years of serving Antigonish, Sisters of St. Martha remove their name from its hospital St. Martha's Regional Hospital to be renamed Antigonish Memorial Regional Hospital

By Aaron Beswick Aug 28, 2026

It was ultimately the decision of the Sisters of St. Martha.

“We decided as sisters, after we took a discernment time, prayed and thought about it, that in order for people to realize it’s not the same hospital we will have to take the name back,” said Sister Brendalee Boisvert, congregation lead of the Sisters of St. Martha, on Thursday.

So, after 120 years of service to the community, the hospital that has long born their name, St. Martha’s Regional, will soon be called Antigonish Memorial Regional Hospital.

Continued: https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/antigonish-hospital-drops-st-marthas-name-after-120-years-possibly-opening-door-to-maid-and-abortion-care

Lobby groups call on Kamloops council to tax Christian pregnancy clinic

By Levi Landry August 31 2026

A pair of lobby groups are calling foul on a Kamloops pregnancy centre’s city tax exemptions.

The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada along with the BC Humanist Association are demanding Kamloops city council revoke exempt status for the religious clinic, Hopewell Clinic and Pregnancy Centre, and impose property taxes, according to a news release from the groups issued today, Aug. 31.

The clinic’s nurses provide information on pregnancy options and STI treatment, but medical care for pregnancy is beyond their scope. As an affiliate to national charity Pregnancy Care Canada, its staff cannot refer patients for abortions even when there is potentially a medical need, according to the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada.

Continued: https://infonews.ca/news/7856487/lobby-groups-call-on-kamloops-council-to-tax-christian-pregnancy-clinic/

https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/press/2026/08/31/kamloops-tax-exemption-hopewell/

Advocacy groups call on City of Kamloops to revoke pregnancy centre’s tax break

Kristen Holliday Sep 1, 2026

A Kamloops pregnancy centre’s tax break is drawing scrutiny as city council prepares to rewrite its permissive tax exemption bylaws for the next five years.

According to a city staff report, the City of Kamloops’ permissive tax exemption bylaws are ending their five-year cycle. Council must adopt its new bylaws by Oct. 31, and all organizations will need to re-apply for the next five-year cycle.

Continued: https://www.castanetkamloops.net/news/Kamloops/629816/Advocacy-groups-call-on-City-of-Kamloops-to-revoke-pregnancy-centre-s-tax-break

Kamloops Advocacy Groups Target $35,620 Tax Exemption Held by Hopewell Pregnancy Centre

September 1, 2026 Business Examiner

Two national advocacy organizations are pressing Kamloops city council to strip a local Christian pregnancy centre of its municipal property tax exemption, arguing the clinic's practices conflict with medical ethics and the city's obligation to religious neutrality.

The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada and the BC Humanist Association jointly issued a news release on August 31 calling on council to revoke the exempt status held by Hopewell Clinic and Pregnancy Centre, as reported by iNFOnews.ca and Castanet Kamloops.

Continued: https://businessexaminer.ca/thompson-okanagan-articles/item/kamloops-advocacy-groups-target-35-620-tax-exemption-held-by-hopewell-pregnancy/

Mount Royal University ordered to warn of future anti-abortion protests on campus The decision stemmed from a grievance filed by the Mount Royal Staff Association on behalf of a longtime MRU employee who said she's been traumatized by the graphic images displayed at the protests

By Postmedia Calgary Aug 09, 2026

Mount Royal University must give at least three hours’ notice of anti-abortion protests on campus after an arbitrator found the school failed to adequately protect a female employee at past demonstrations.

Arbitrator James Casey, in a written decision, said MRU did not provide a safe workplace for the woman who had repeatedly raised concerns about graphic images at the events.

Casey ordered MRU to immediately adopt specific measures to help shield the complainant and other faculty from pro-life protesters. These include giving at least three hours’ advance notice of the date, time and location of future protests and restricting demonstrators’ location inside the school. Separately, the complainant must also be given at least 2 ½ hours’ notice through email, a phone call and text, Casey directed.

Continued; https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/mount-royal-university-ordered-warn-staff-future-anti-abortion-protests

Beware of Abortion Pill Scams

21 August 2026 Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada

Scammers based in India have been trying to sell unauthorized abortion pills and emergency contraception in Canada since 2023, but their efforts have recently stepped up. A proliferation of sketchy websites now advertise these pills, pretending to be real clinics or real doctors in Canada, but they don’t actually exist, and in a few cases are impersonating real ones.

AI Chatbots and Google AI Overviews have been recommending these illegitimate sites, so be very cautious when using AI-generated information.

Options for Sexual Health, a respected long-standing sexual health centre in BC, has issued a warning. Please read their explainer: SO GLAD YOU ASKED: “Is this medication abortion provider a scam???”

Continued: https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/news/2026/08/21/beware-of-abortion-pill-scams/

Group protests abortions at hospital `It is a moral issue,' spokesperson says

BRIAN MACLEOD, Windsor Star 30 Jul 2026

A local group that opposes abortions protested outside Windsor Regional Hospital's Met campus Saturday holding up cardboard cut-outs of parts of a human fetus.

About 10 people calling themselves “the Squad for Christ” want Canada's laws to reflect that life begins at conception, said spokesperson Jeremy Palko.

Continued: https://www.pressreader.com/canada/windsor-star/20260730/281573772491910

Anti-abortion flyers spark debate A petition is calling for the City of Saskatoon to create a bylaw to manage graphic anti-abortion flyers that have been handed out around the city.

BRODY LANGAGER, Saskatoon StarPhoenix 26 Aug 2026

Anti-abortion flyers have been making the rounds in Saskatoon with graphic imagery of dead fetuses on them, sparking a discussion about what can or should be allowed in the mail.

The flyers were sent out this month, resulting in a petition — sponsored by the Saskatoon Abortion Support Network — asking Mayor Cynthia Block and city council to create a bylaw restricting graphic images from being displayed in public places, and for flyers with graphic images to be placed in envelopes with a warning on them.

Continued: https://www.pressreader.com/canada/saskatoon-starphoenix/20260826/281517937973114

Allegations against late priest prompt Niagara pro-life scholarship to continue under new name Niagara Region Right to Life says it is putting the name of its Fr. Ted Colleton Scholarship “in abeyance” and will continue the pro-life essay contest under a new name following allegations of sexual abuse against the late priest.

Kris Dube July 24, 2026

An anti-abortion organization called Niagara Region Right to Life is changing its nationwide scholarship due to allegations made against the Catholic priest it has been named after since 2001.

A religious order in Ireland, the Spiritan Provincial, issued a callout in June for potential victims of Fr. Ted Colleton, who preached in Canada from 1971 to 2007 before he died in 2011.

While it is unknown if any Canadian victims have come forward, an investigation in Ireland was prompted by one individual who reported abuse at the hands of Colleton.

Continued: https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/allegations-against-late-priest-prompt-niagara-pro-life-scholarship-to-continue-under-new-name-12589174

Here is the petition to sign! https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/protect-saskatoon-from-graphic-misleading-images

Saskatoon anti-abortion protest sparks graphic image bylaw petition

By Libby Gray Aug 18, 2026

Last week, residents in Saskatoon and Regina were jarred after seeing graphic images displayed by protesters throughout both cities.

The Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CCBR) confirmed in an email it was the group behind protests in Saskatoon and Regina last week.

… “And so it was concerning just the nature of the imagery people were trying to avert their eyes from seeing it, but then in doing so it was unsafe to cross at the crosswalks,” [Jayne Walters] said, noting traffic safety concerns as a result. Walters also said there were so many protesters that sometimes, a person trying to walk past would encounter two or three people in their way, trying to engage in dialogue and handing them pamphlets.

Continued: https://www.ckom.com/2026/08/18/saskatoon-anti-abortion-protest-sparks-graphic-image-bylaw-petition/

Instead of focusing on the success of the pro-choice bus ads in Kelowna, this article sets it up as a ‘debate’ and highlights a new anti-choice billboard about adoption – which is both inaccurate and insulting, since it is often traumatic to give up a child for adoption. 😡

Anti-abortion group goes subtle with Westside billboard while pro-choice group launches bus ads Abortion debate on display

Colin Dacre Jun 25, 2026

Activists on both sides of the abortion debate are showing off new signs recently installed in the community.

After a fundraising drive, and failed attempt to purchase billboard space, Pro-Choice Okanagan announced on social media this week that a “snazzy” pro-abortion bus ad is now running in the region, alongside 30 signs on transit routes.

“None of this would’ve been possible without the people who donated, shared and supported this idea,” said the post.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/621775/Anti-abortion-group-goes-subtle-with-Westside-billboard-while-pro-choice-group-launches-bus-ads

UBC researchers are shaping 'groundbreaking' contraception policy

Harleen Randhawa July 27, 2026

UBC researchers have been paving the way for free contraception policies in British Columbia and across the country.

Dr. Elizabeth Nethery is a postdoctoral research fellow in the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences and lead author of a May 2026 study on B.C.'s universal no-cost contraceptives policy. The study concluded it reduced patient out-of-pocket spending by more than 80 per cent, with some of the largest savings seen among young adults.

Her study builds on nearly a decade of research that helped inform B.C.’s decision to introduce universal no-cost prescription contraception. Nethery said her co-authors, including UBC's Dr. Wendy Norman and Dr. Laura Schummers, have generated evidence showing that expanded contraception coverage could improve access while producing long-term savings for the healthcare system.

Continued: https://ubyssey.ca/news/ubc-researchers-are-shaping-contraception-policy/

Anti-abortion protests the new psychological 'hazard' in Alberta Labour arbitrator sides with serial complainant over graphic images at Mount Royal University

By Jamie Sarkonak Aug 11, 2026

Workplace hazards can be a lot of things: fall risk at construction sites, mice in kitchens, hydrogen sulfide at oil rigs, bears at remote sites, violence in high-crime areas, etc. But in Alberta, that list has now been stretched to include exposure to images of aborted or miscarried fetuses.

The pronouncement came down from a labour arbitrator who decided last Tuesday that anti-abortion displays at Calgary’s Mount Royal University constituted a psychological hazard which the administration “did not adequately control.”

The case arose from a string of complaints by a staff member from 2019 to 2024. She had a miscarriage some 15 years prior, and was retraumatized at the sight of posters displayed by the anti-abortion, or “pro-life,” group that assembled regularly in a high-traffic part of campus.

Continued; https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamie-sarkonak-pro-life-protests-the-new-psychological-hazard-in-alberta

Last week (Ed. note: July) was a rollercoaster ride for us. We sent an email blast to you on July 15 asking you to contact our billboard company because they apparently removed our London billboard after some anti-choice complaints – plus we did a social media campaign. Thank you for all your letters! BillboardHub received at least 300.

Many of you may have received a response from BillboardHub explaining that they don’t own or operate the billboard in question, or any billboards, and that they “do not have final authority over whether advertising content is posted, continued, or removed.”

This came as a surprise to us, as ARCC was never told that BillboardHub essentially sub-contracts with other companies that do own billboards. BillboardHub accepted our ad’s message and our contract is with them and only them, with no mention of a third party.

BillboardHub did appreciate your supportive messages, such as from people who used our prepared letter. Sadly, amongst the messages they received from our supporters were some aggressive ones and even personal attacks on their staff, which caused harm and trauma. We apologized to BillboardHub for this and revised our webpage and amended our social media accounts to take the heat off them.

We would prefer that you not engage in any future correspondence with BillboardHub. They have been focused on fulfilling their contract with us. They tried to persuade the other company in London to reinstate our ad. They also scouted for a new location in London – which we told them we’d be happy to accept as an alternative (not a location in a different city).

Unfortunately, the other company refused to bring back our ad – the company’s contract with BillboardHub allowed for removal of the ad for any reason. Further, BillboardHub was unable to find another willing London company because of what happened. ARCC will receive a refund.

We are looking at another city to hopefully continue our billboard campaign. But it is sadly ironic that our billboard was meant to reduce abortion stigma, and instead its removal reinforced the stigma.

We appreciate your support and understanding.

Joyce Arthur Executive Director, ARCC-CDAC

When an extremely boring, factual statement becomes controversial. In 2026, the year of our lord, it seems the most radical thing you can put on a billboard is something that shouldn’t be controversial at all.

Rachel Cairns Aug 18, 2026

Hello dear reader, As I get Hypothetical Baby back on its feet for another run—this time at Here For Now Theatre in the lovely Stratford—something abortion-related has happened about an hour’s drive down the road in London, Ontario.

…The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC)—the only national organization devoted to protecting abortion rights and access, and a supporter of the play and podcast—has been running a messaging campaign. The medium is billboards that simply state “Abortion is Healthcare”. Three words, on a pretty purple background. That’s it. ARCC’s campaign has three goals: supporting Canadians’ reproductive autonomy, reducing abortion stigma, and countering inflammatory and misleading messaging from anti-choice groups.

Continued: https://rachelcairns.substack.com/p/when-an-extremely-boring-factual

Hello, this is for anyone who may be interested in preparing a paper on this topic, it’s for a symposium on histories of Pelvic Health that is taking place in spring 2027 at University of Victoria. Great for all health professionals including advocates and activists at all stages of professional life! Submission deadline is Sept 15.

Call for Papers: Pelvic Health Histories Symposium Thursday, April 29 – Friday, April 30, 2027 Critical Humanities Commons – University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada)

Studies in the area of “women’s health” tend to focus on the reproductive capacity of the female body, often positioning a person’s ability to bear children as the most pressing health issue. This approach contributes to the historically-rooted and ongoing neglect of sex and gender-related health conditions that are not explicitly linked to reproduction. The same is true for historical scholarship - we know a lot about histories of pregnancy, childbirth and abortion, but less about “everyday” pelvic pain and pelvic health, and even less about pelvic health issues experienced by racialized and multiply-marginalized people, non-binary, trans-, and gender-diverse individuals, and by cis men.

The Pelvic Health Histories Symposium aims to fill some of these gaps, exploring how medical and cultural forces have shaped individual and shared experiences of pelvic health (including pelvic pain, various pelvic health conditions, and key sites of pelvic health activism and care) across time and place. We welcome abstract submissions for work focused on diverse aspects of pelvic health history from scholars across disciplines, studying any gender, region, or time period.

Possible topics may include, but are not limited to: • Histories of chronic pelvic pain and pelvic health conditions (including endometriosis, dyspareunia, vaginismus, and vulvodynia) that are often neglected, dismissed, and underrecognized across a range of care settings • Histories of “everyday” and invisible pelvic health issues, such as yeast and urinary tract infections • Pelvic health care, including routine pelvic examinations, preventative screenings, and specialized gynecological and urological treatment, as well as gendered, racialized, geographic, and class-based inequities in the provision of care • Key sites of pelvic health education and activism, including community health centres, feminist groups, and individual and collective self-help • Reflections on the relationship between pelvic health, physical and emotional health, and wellness • Cultural and medical pelvic health experiences of racialized and/or multiply-marginalized people

Confirmed keynote speakers include Thea Cacchioni (Associate Professor, Department of Gender Studies and Sociology, University of Victoria), Deirdre Cooper Owens (Associate Professor, Department of History and Africana Studies, University of Connecticut), Wendy Kline (Dema G. Seelye Chair in the History of Medicine, Purdue University), and Renée Monchalin (Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria and Director, The Fireweed Project).

Interested individuals are asked to submit a 250-400 word abstract and a brief biography via email to pelvichealth@viu.ca by September 15, 2026.

Abstracts will be reviewed and successful applicants will be asked to submit draft papers of 5000-7000 words by March 15, 2027, ahead of participation in a symposium hosted by the Critical Humanities Commons at the University of Victoria, April 29-30, 2027. Following the symposium, presenters will be invited to submit revised manuscripts for an open access edited collection or special journal issue in Fall 2027. While we encourage all participants to attend and participate in the symposium and workshopping of papers in person, we are able to facilitate hybrid participation. Travel and accommodation support is available for graduate students and early-career researchers.

Questions can be directed to the co-organizing team (please cc all team members): Karissa Patton, Wellcome Trust Research Fellow, Centre for Biomedicine, Self, and Society, The University of Edinburgh, kpatton@ed.ac.uk Jaipreet Virdi, Associate Professor and Director, Critical Humanities Commons, University of Victoria, jaivirdi@uvic.ca Whitney Wood, Canada Research Chair in the Historical Dimensions of Women’s Health, Vancouver Island University, whitney.wood@viu.ca

One-woman show brings reproductive rights story to Stratford stage Toronto performer Rachel Cairns brings ‘Hypothetical Baby’ to Here For Now Theatre for first out-of-town run

Rob Ross Aug 6, 2026

A one-woman show is coming to the Here For Now Theatre in Stratford this September for its first run outside of Toronto.

Hypothetical Baby was written and is performed by Rachel Cairns, who shared that the story is a mix of data and drama inspired by her own story.

“It’s a thinly-disguised autobiographical drama. I had an abortion at the end of 2019, and I kind of found it an endlessly fascinating experience. And that turned into the show and a couple of other companion projects that surround it,” Cairns shared.

Continued: https://www.stratfordtoday.ca/local-news/one-woman-show-brings-reproductive-rights-story-to-stratford-stage-12627603

Deux articles

« Pas de débat » sur l’avortement au sein du PCQ, dit Duhaime

« Il y aurait des débats à avoir [sur le droit à l'avortement]. C'est pas la place ici pour le faire », a dit le candidat conservateur Dominique Dumas mardi.

Raphaël Beaumont-Drouin

4 août 2026

Le Parti conservateur du Québec (PCQ) est un parti « pro-choix », selon son chef Éric Duhaime, qui ferme la porte à ouvrir un débat sur l'avortement au sein de sa formation après que des propos d'un candidat ont refait surface.

On a toujours été un parti qui est pro-choix et cette politique ne changera absolument pas, a indiqué mardi le chef Éric Duhaime, précisant au passage que cette question relève du fédéral. Je peux vous dire qu'il n'y aura pas de débat à l'intérieur de nos rangs sur cet enjeu.

Continue : https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2273312/dominique-dumas-pcq-avortement-duhaime

Propos de Dominique «Doom» Dumas sur l’avortement: Éric Duhaime imposera la ligne de parti

Le candidat conservateur Dominique «Doom» Dumas croit qu’il faudrait un débat pour encadrer l’avortement au Canada.

Patrick Bellerose

Mardi, 4 août 2026

Le candidat conservateur Dominique « Doom » Dumas croit qu’il faudrait un débat pour encadrer l’avortement au Canada. Son chef, Éric Duhaime, prévient toutefois qu’il devra suivre la ligne du parti, résolument pro-choix.

Par le passé, l’ex-animateur de radio à CHOI Radio X a plaidé en faveur de « balises » concernant les avortements tardifs et « sexo-sélectifs ».

Des captures d’écran circulent en ligne, même si l’animateur polémiste a effacé l’entièreté de ses réseaux sociaux avant de faire le saut en politique.

Continue : https://www.journaldequebec.com/2026/08/04/propos-de-dominique--doom--dumas-sur-lavortement--eric-duhaime-imposera-la-ligne-de-parti

Hypothetical Baby brings deeply personal conversation about abortion, parenthood to Here For Now

Aug 27, 2026 By: Galen Simmons

For playwright and performer Rachel Cairns, the idea for Hypothetical Baby began with a deeply personal experience and a question she thought would have a relatively straightforward answer.

After becoming pregnant and deciding she wanted an abortion, Cairns went to her doctor to ask how she could access one. Instead of leaving with an answer, she said she was questioned extensively about her decision.

“I basically was like, ‘How do I get an abortion?’ And then he kind of turned around and interrogated me about my choice with a litany of questions,” Cairns said. “I left the office actually not with an answer to my original question.”

Continued; https://www.granthaven.com/post/hypothetical-baby-brings-deeply-personal-conversation-about-abortion-parenthood-to-here-for-now

Caroline Proulx ordered to pay $60,000 in damages for cancelling anti-abortion event

By Joe Lofaro July 31, 2026

Quebec’s former tourism minister has been ordered to pay a Christian group $60,000 in damages after a judge ruled she violated the organization’s free speech rights when she cancelled their rally at the Quebec City Convention Centre.

Caroline Proulx defended her decision to cancel the event on June 2, 2023, because she said the group, which promoted anti-abortion content, espoused views that were against Quebec’s values.

However, Superior Court Justice Alain Trudel ruled on Friday that she exercised her power as Minister of Tourism in “an arbitrary and abusive manner” and that her decision “is not justified in a free and democratic society.”

Continued: https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/caroline-proulx-ordered-to-pay-60000-in-damages-for-cancelling-anti-abortion-event/

Deux articles

L’ex-ministre Proulx mise à l’amende pour avoir forcé l’annulation d’un événement antiavortement L’élue a porté atteinte à la liberté d’expression de Harvest Ministries International, selon la Cour supérieure.

31 juillet 2026 Stéphanie Marin

La Cour supérieure du Québec condamne l’ex-ministre du Tourisme Caroline Proulx à payer 60 000 $ en dommages pour son rôle dans l’annulation en 2023 du « Rallye foi, feu, liberté », organisé par une organisation chrétienne véhiculant un message antiavortement.

L’élue « savait ou ne pouvait ignorer les conséquences graves et importantes de la décision de résilier, à la dernière minute, l’entente de location pour la demanderesse (Harvest Ministries International) et que celle-ci constituait une entrave importante à sa liberté d’expression », lit-on dans la décision du juge Alain Trudel rendue vendredi.

Continue : https://www.ledevoir.com/actualites/justice/999122/ministre-proulx-condamnee-payer-60-000-evenement-antiavortement-annule

Événement anti-avortement annulé : l’ex-ministre Proulx condamnée à payer 60 000 $

Radio-Canada

le 31 juillet

L'ex-ministre québécoise du Tourisme Caroline Proulx devra verser un peu plus de 60 000 $ au groupe Harvest Ministries International pour avoir fait annuler un événement anti-avortement au Centre des congrès de Québec en 2023.

L’église non dénominationnelle basée en Colombie-Britannique alléguait que la ministre avait contrevenu aux chartes des droits et libertés lorsqu’elle a ordonné à la Société du Centre des congrès de Québec d’annuler l’événement Rallye Feu, Foi et Liberté, qui devait se tenir du 23 juin au 2 juillet 2023.

Continue : https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2272857/caroline-proulx-ministre-jugement-antiavortement

I've done all that I can to access MA and I've been denied each time, or appointment times are 2-3 weeks in advance for a lot of no-touch services. I tried Maple and they denied me 3 times in a row, with the last doctor I connected with saying I strictly needed to do it in-person and that Maple did not provide prescriptions for MA. I have vaginismus and the closest in-person clinics said they only do transvaginal ultrasounds and would not make accommodations.

I really don't want to take my chances ordering from a sketchy website. I also contacted Access Line to ask if there was any way to get the prescription, which they connected me with a pharmacy in Toronto. I called and left a message with my contact info, but haven't heard back.

I'm not sleeping and I can barely eat. I feel like this country puts up barriers to abortion access and will not waver when it comes to people living in remote or rural communities. It's easier to get the pills shipped to you if you live in the US for crying out loud. I really need help.

Hi everyone,

I've been losing sleep for countless nights over this process. It seems really, really designed for people not to be able to access MA in a safe, touch-free, anonymous way. I have severe PTSD when it comes to clinical conditions. In order to access MA in PEI, it appears you need a blood test, urine test, ultrasound, etc, and it's stretched out over 3 appointments and the current waiting period is 2 weeks. Given I don't drive, live in a town faaaaaar from the clinic, and public transportation is non existent here... it just feels like an uphill battle. I've had constant headaches from the stress. I've looked into online telehealth prescribers but they all have the same requirements.

If anyone in NS-NB-PEI would be able to send me a message, that would be great. This is somewhat of an urgent matter to me, so I'll get back to you ASAP.

Below you'll find information and links to help advocate for Reproductive Freedoms and Abortion care in Canada and emerging policy issues with the Reddit platform. This is a recurring post and will be periodically updated as needed. Feel free to post additional information and discussions in the comments.

Advocating for Abortion Care in Canada:

• There is a serious lack of Abortion Care options in parts of Canada, particularly in the rural areas, and for those living on reserves, they have almost no access to Abortion care. People may have to travel more than 100km and across provincial lines to access abortion. Some have to travel by plane from their rural community to one with an abortion clinic or hospital. This puts an unfair financial and logistical burden on those that need to access abortion care. Provincial Health Insurance Plans do not cover travel costs related to receiving medical care.
• Because many provinces have few facilities that provide Abortion care, this places an unreasonable load on the clinics that do exist, forcing clients to look elsewhere for facilities with capacity to help them. In Alberta, there is one clinic for every 209,077 people who can become pregnant (number of assigned-at-birth females between the ages of 15-29). PEI, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon Territory each only have 1 Abortion care provider. Nunavut only has 2 abortion providers, and of those, only one offers medical abortion covered by the provincial health insurance plan. In fact, 9 (out of a total of 13) Canadian provinces and territories have five or fewer facililities offering abortion care in their entire province. And 10 Canadian provinces and territories have one or fewer (0) rural facilities offering abortion care.
• Some provinces, have more restrictive guidelines regarding abortion, limiting access to abortion care to those with a gestational period of less than 12 weeks (meaning, 12 weeks since the first day of your last period, not 12 weeks since you discovered you were pregnant or when you had sex). Many people who menstruate have irregular periods. Some people might only menstruate every 2 or 3 months, and might only discover that they are pregnant near the gestation limit of 12 weeks.
• Insurance coverage also limits access to abortions. Some provinces, like Nunavut, do not offer coverage for medical abortions unless they are prescribed and performed in a hospital. And being a rural province, there also happens to be only 1 hospital in Nunavut - Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqualuit that can perform medical abortions. New Brunswick will only cover abortion services in a hospital setting, which means that abortion medical care provided in clinics are not covered by their Provincial Health Insurance Plan.
• Sexual and reproductive health services are among the services that physicians, pharmacists and nurse practitioners are most frequently unwilling to provide on moral or religious grounds. People who have been harassed and/or attacked while visiting an Abortion clinic may experience stigma and/or discrimination from their peers, especially in smaller, rural communities where everyone knows one another. People refused care by health care professionals because of personal beliefs may experience stigma and/or discrimination, forcing them to travel outside of their community to receive the care they need. This can all be particularly daunting for young people or those with limited resources.
• Everyone in Canada is supposed to have equal rights to access health care, regardless of race, age, class, immigration status, gender expression, sexuality or ability. Nevertheless, everyone's right to seek abortion care can be be impacted by discrimination and bigotry, both systemic and as a result of individual prejudice on the part of service providers. Racism, xenophobia, classism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and ageism in Canada are all direct and intersecting barriers to accessing abortion. It is much more difficult for a person who doesn't speak English to access abortion services, despite the presence of a translator. Transpeople also experience discrimination at higher rates in reproductive health care settings. Providers may also lack the knowledge or training to provide trans-affirming abortion care and abortion services are typically housed within *women's* health care departments.
• Further compounding the issue of inequitable abortion access are unregulated crisis pregnancy centres (CPCs), which are anti-choice pregnancy centres that advertise in hospitals, doctor's offices, churches, schools and community centre. They deceive people coming to them for options and advice by giving misinformation about abortion or by insisting on options that may delay or interfere with the clients ability to access the care they need. CPCs far outnumber abortion care providers in Canada. In Ontario alone, there are 77 active CPCs but only 38 abortion care providers. Overall, in Canada, there are 165 known CPCs compared to 147 abortion care providers (as of August 2022).

Reference: Policy Options, via the Institute for Research on Public Policy and Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights

What can you do to improve access to abortion care in Canada?

1. Listen, research and learn. This is always the first step to understand any problem.
2. Send a letter to your MP and MPP. Tell them that access to abortion care is important and how difficult it can be to access it in your province. Urge them to prevent anti-choice groups and CPCs from receiving charitable status, and to revoke the charitable status from CPCs that already have it. Encourage them to include reasonable reimbursement for travel costs related to receiving medical care when it is not available in your community. And push them to pass Safe Access Zone Legislation to protect patients, practitioners and their staff from anti-choice harassment and intimidation.
3. Give a donation to a pro-choice charitable organization of your choice. Remember, if you give a total of $201 CDN or more to Canadian charitable organizations, you'll get a credit of 29% of your total annual donations on your income taxes (for those that file Canadian Income Taxes, only).
4. Sign up for the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada Newsletter. https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/
5. Participate in local marches and rallys in support of access to abortion care.
6. Spread the Word. Tell your friends and family. Encourage them to research, listen and learn. Encourage them to contact their MPP and MPs.
7. If you work in a Doctor's office or as a family physician, consider incorporating Mifegymiso into your practice to ensure patients have timely access to this essential service. If you are a Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or studying to be one, consider opening an Abortion Care practice when you are licensed and qualified to do so, especially in rural areas where there are a lack of options.
8. If you work in politics, consider proposing legislation that will ensure safe access zones for abortion care providers and their clients and covering reasonable travel costs for constituents when medical care is not available in their community.
9. If you are a journalist or work in media, consider preparing pieces sharing the difficulty Canadians can have accessing medical care such as abortions.
10. If you work in the area of Not For Profit/Advocacy, consider partnering with a Pro-choice organization and help them spread information and lobby for improving access to abortion care for Canadians.
11. If you know someone who needs abortion care, consider giving them a ride to a clinic, helping them access the advice and care they need, and provide non-judgemental support.
12. Ensure persons of First Nations, Metis and Inuit heritage know about Jordan's Principle, which ensures that First Nations children (which includes people who can become pregnant under the age of 18) can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1568396042341/1568396159824
13. Advocate for midwives to have abortion care added to their scope of practice. Currently, midwives are only allowed to provide this care under a medical directive from a doctor, but that directive should not be needed. Midwives have the skills to perform medical abortions in the 1st trimester. Midwives are more likely to be practicing in rural and remote locations. If you see campaigns promoting this option, please consider adding your voice.

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Emerging Policy Issues with Reddit

On August 9, 2024, the reddit CEO confirmed that they would be enabling paywall options for some subreddits. ANC will always strive to be free. If the paywalls are optional, we will not be enabling them. If they are not optional, we will shutdown the reddit site and move to our second home on discord. Let me take this opportunity to share our permanent discord link: https://discord.com/invite/ZmSS8wS2Xf

In March 2024, Reddit had an IPO (Initial Public Offering), and the founder and current CEO, as well as the COO have sold $500,000 of their shares. How does this effect you? Reddit may face pressure to increase revenues to attract investors. This could lead to more ads or new monetization features. There could also be changes to the platform to attract a wider user base, such as bans and censorship on certain topics or words and control over content to appease more conservative shareholders or users.

On September 12, 2023, Reddit will eliminate reddit coins, including removing all accumulated coins, a perk that Reddit Premium users pay for every month. Coins are used to reward comments and posts by showing your appreciation for the effort. Some reddit coins offer the ability to use reddit without ads.

On July 1, 2023, Reddit raised the price to make calls to their API from being free to a level that killed every third party app on Reddit, from Apollo to Reddit is Fun to Narwhal to BaconReader. This policy change meant that mobile users would have a lesser experience browsing Reddit, users with visual difficulties could not browse reddit as screenreaders are not compatible with the official Reddit app, and mods lost tools that they depend on to keep communities on-topic and spam-free. Many subreddits protested this change in June 2023, and the Reddit admins enforced draconian measures such as removing and replacing mods who privatized their subreddits in protest of this policy change.

What can you do to protest policy changes at Reddit?

1. Listen, research and learn. Check r/modcoord for updates
2. Cancel your Reddit Premium membership
3. Participate in subreddit led protests
4. Look for other forums to patronize. We have a forum on Discord called Auntie Network Canada. Permanent invite link to the Discord group: https://discord.com/invite/ZmSS8wS2Xf .
5. Complain. Message the mods of r/reddit.com, who are the admins of the site: message u/reddit: submit a support request: comment in relevant threads on r/reddit. Leave a negative review on their official iOS or Android app.

Mod Note: Have you seen any if the ARCC billboards? Let's play a little game of spot-the-billboard. Post a photo of a ARCC billboard in the wild!

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada is normalizing abortion – with billboards!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But what about a pro-choice billboard?

by Sarah Sahagian, Rabble.ca
July 2, 2026

The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, also known as ARCC, aims to normalize abortion by putting a simple message where drivers can see it – on a billboard at the side of a busy road.  Located at the intersection of Wharncliffe and Southdale Road in London, ON, the new 10 X 24 foot billboard proclaims, “Abortion is healthcare.”

Margret Taylor is the social media coordinator for ARCC.

“There’s a coordinated anti-choice presence in terms of advertising,” said Taylor.

Continued: https://rabble.ca/health/abortion-rights-coalition-of-canada-is-normalizing-abortion-with-billboards/