Canada is cracking down on more access to free contraceptives for women as part of this year’s proposed federal budget.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to X over the weekend and shared the news.
“Women should be free to choose the contraceptives they need without cost getting in the way. So, we’re making contraceptives free,” he said on Saturday.
Back in March, Canada’s Minister of Health Mark Holland announced that the country tabled pharmacare legislation to help Canadians “get the medication they need.”
And according to the government’s website, this initiative will allow women to access most prescription contraceptives.
“With the tabling of the Pharmacare Act last month, the federal government is in the first phase of delivering a national pharmacare plan. This legislation paves the way to build a Canada that is not only equitable but more affordable for all. A national pharmacare plan means that every woman will have the right to choose if or when they would like to start a family.”
That’s not all, even diabetes medication will be free of cost under the program.
“The federal government recognizes that the financial cost of contraceptives, and medications for those who are diabetic, is one of the largest barriers to access. A universal pharmacare plan aims to diminish the divide between cost and need, while reducing financial barriers.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland agrees.
“Women should have the autonomy to make their own choices about their health and their bodies,” she was quoted saying in a press release.
“Our plan to make common contraceptives free—like birth control pills and IUDs, and even emergency contraception—will mean that, for nine million Canadian women, freedom of choice will be truly ‘free.’ And it means more Canadian women will have freedom of choice over their bodies and their lives.”
According to the government, birth control pills can cost women up to $300 a year. In a press release, the government listed the typical costs for other prescription contraceptives as well:
- Hormonal intrauterine device (IUD): up to $500 per unit
- Copper intrauterine device (IUD): up to $100 per unit
- Hormonal implant: Up to $300 per unit
- Hormonal vaginal ring: up to $300 per year
- Contraceptive injection: up to $150 per year
- Emergency contraceptives: About $30 per dose
Many Canadians have since welcomed the news of free contraceptives.
“This is absolutely incredible. As an OBGYN I fully support and celebrate this particular historic decision. I hope it is a permanent policy,” one X user wrote.
“Birth control serves purposes beyond contraception, with many being prescribed for conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder), acne, and more,” another pointed out.
“That’s great, you know what else should be free? Tampons and maxi pads,” someone else said.
As of December, only federally-regulated employers were legally required to provide menstrual products in all workplace washrooms.
The government’s 2024 budget will be tabled in the House of Commons on April 16.
