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[Cin]

It is interesting to note that while there are no laws governing abortion in Canada, arguably a good thing, and that the Canada Health Act has been interpreted by the federal government as requiring provinces to fully fund abortion clinics, the reality is women seeking abortion in Canada, depending on their location, can be literally out of luck. Several provinces make it extremely difficult for women to get an abortion. New Brunswick pays nothing toward funding abortion clinics. Nova Scotia has very limited funding. It’s impossible to get an abortion in PEI, however, the province will pay for hospital abortions in other provinces, coincidentally (or not) hospitals in the Maritimes will not perform abortions on women from out – of – province. The only option available to women in PEI are expensive private clinics in NB or NS and that is only as long as they get service in 16 weeks. Other than that, they need to go to Montreal or Toronto.

The number of Canadian medical schools that give instruction in abortion procedures is decreasing, which could potentially create a shortfall in medical personnel skilled in this area. Third-trimester abortions are not generally available In Quebec women seeking third-trimester abortions are sent to the US.

Abortion is the only medical procedure in Canada that does not meet even the most basic requirements of the Canada Health Act, which states that “insured medical services must be universal, accessible, portable and comprehensive.”

Many poor and especially rural women must depend on hospitals, yet it is very difficult to obtain an abortion at a hospital for a variety of reasons. Only about 1/3 of hospitals actually perform abortions. Some hospitals put women through illegal approval processes. There are also quotas, parental consent for surgery on minors, and long waiting lists (yet most will only perform first trimester abortions.) Hospitals also require a doctor’s referral for an abortion, which can be difficult to obtain. Often women have to face anti-choice medical staff who disapprove of their decision.

British Columbia is the only province in the country to have an Access to Abortion Services, or a bubble zone law restricting anti-choice protesters from areas around clinics, doctor’s offices and homes. Other provinces make it incredibly difficult for a woman to obtain an abortion, although if you live in Montreal or Toronto finding a clinic isn’t difficult. In the prairie provinces access is concentrated in the larger cities. In the Yukon there are no private clinics, but the province pays part of the cost for a woman to travel to BC to obtain an abortion. In Nunavut, there is one hospital that provides tax-payer funded abortions but if a woman is pregnant past 13 weeks she must travel to Ottawa. In the Northwest territories there are no private clinics but abortions are provided at two out of the three hospitals there. Nationally there are 151 abortion facilities available as opposed to 197 of the so called crisis pregnancy centres.

In conclusion I must say that although obtaining an abortion in Canada is not a crime, depending on where you live it might just feel like one.