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September 26th, 2018

NDP Statement on World Contraception Day

NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) made the following statement on World Contraception Day:

"Today – World Contraception Day – falls in the middle of Gender Equality Week. Sadly, in Canada we have neither equal access to birth control nor gender equality.

For example, birth control like the NuvaRing is available on public formularies in Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and the Yukon, but not in BC, Alberta, Manitoba or Ontario. Only Alberta covers emergency contraceptives, and only Quebec covers the contraceptive patch.

The Government of Canada has an obligation to ensure everyone across the country has access to the highest quality of medication, but many women, trans and non-binary people do not have access to the contraceptives they need.

The Liberals are known for running with New Democrat policy in order to get elected, never keeping their promises. This Prime Minister could make the first concrete step and implement his promise of national pharmacare by beginning with free birth control, as proposed by my Motion, M-65. He could take advantage of a real opportunity to prove his boast that he is a feminist and show he supports gender equality.

We're done waiting."