A report on the province's midwifery pilot project was completed in 2022, but the Department of Health has yet to talk to or send the report to the midwifery council.
A drafted U.S. Supreme Court decision that would overturn Americans' right to abortion could drive some people to seek the service in Canada, activists said Tuesday, warning the development could exacerbate inequities on both sides of the border.
Clinic 554 in Fredericton, N.B. (Image: Facebook)
Ottawa says access to sexual and reproductive health care will be part of any future discussions with provinces and territories on health care transfers.
“The Government is committed to collaboration with provinces and territories to strengthen our health care system, ensuring equitable and appropriate access to a full suite of reproductive and sexual health services, in any upcoming Canada Health Transfer funding discussions.”
Jessi Taylor, spokesperson for Reproductive Justice New Brunswick, said they’re pleased that abortion services and how the provincial government is violating the health rights of residents are recognized as a problem at a national level.
Canadian provinces and territories have a variation of different policies and regulations that facilitate abortion access, but New Brunswick is the only province that does not cover the procedure outside of hospital settings. The provincial government has not made it clear why it refuses to cover abortion access in non-hospital settings and refused to comment on the lawsuit.
Last year, the federal government withheld more than $100,000 to the province for violating federal law by refusing to cover abortions outside hospitals. Those funds were paid later that year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, although the province has not taken action towards changing its current policies.