After a historically lengthy review process, Health Canada finally approved the abortion pill, Mifegymiso, two years ago. Yet, despite ample evidence showing that it's a safe and effective method to terminate a pregnancy, the restrictions that came with the approval, coupled with its cost, mean that too many people still can’t access it.
Despite decriminalizing abortion almost 30 years ago, Canada has struggled to make this service accessible – only 1 in 6 hospitals provide abortion care and most providers are in larger urban centers within 100 km of the US border.
Mifegymiso offers a promising way to change this but provinces have not been actively working to break down barriers to access. Each dose can cost as much as $450 — an exorbitant price that makes it out of reach for all but the most privileged among us. That's why we're starting by asking for universal cost coverage from coast to coast to coast. Even in provinces with the political backbone to support universal cost coverage, change is coming too slowly. This means that in Canada, your postal code and income bracket determine your access, not your health needs. We can’t accept this.
That's why we're bringing this issue to provincial and federal leaders to make it clear that we won't settle for anything short of universal cost coverage and access for all. We'll be at the Ministers of Health meeting in November to make the case.
But to be heard loud and clear, we need your voice to join ours. Sign the petition to show our leaders that we want strong commitments and real actions to make Mifegymiso accessible to every person who needs it.
