Ottawa, Ontario – September 20, 2023: Today, the President of The Society of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), Dr. Amanda Black, will be attending a Day of Representation on
Parliament Hill to champion the economic and social benefits of free and Universal access to contraception
for all Canadians. She will also be joined by members of Action Canada, CART UBC and ProjectEmpowHER.
“Reproductive rights are human rights and must be protected at a federal level. The United Nations and the
World Health Organization have stated that access to safe, voluntary family planning is a human right, and
that family planning is essential to promoting gender equality, advancing the autonomy of women, and
reducing poverty,” says Dr. Amanda Black, President of the SOGC.
“An overwhelming majority of Canadians agree. A recent poll shows 83 per cent of Canadians approve of
free prescription birth control across Canada, and seven out of 10 feel the issue is urgent. Among voters of
the three main federal parties in different regions across Canada, the support was 75 per cent or higher,” says
Dr. Rupinder Toor, Medical Director and founder of Calgary’s IUD & NE Women’s Clinic and founder of
the advocacy group Project EmpowHer.
This initiative has been gaining momentum for the last year. Back in April, British Columbia became the first
province to provide free access to contraception. This Summer, Project EmpowHER issued a petition to the
House of Commons with more than 12,000 signatures, further emphasizing the need for this concept to be
implemented across Canada. Many studies have proven that for each $1 invested in universal contraception,
nearly $9 can be saved in the public sector. Implementing this policy would prove to be revenue-neutral by
year two and saving money by year three.
The SOGC is one of Canada’s oldest national specialty organizations and has been a leader of the
advancement of women’s health since 1944.
Dr. Amanda Black, President of the SOGC addressing members of parliament on the economic and social benefits of free contraception across Canada. |
Dr. Amanda Black, SOGC President; Lee Allison Clark from the Native Women's Association; Dr. Rupinder Toor, physician and founder of Project of EmpowHER.; Dr. Wendy Norman of CART UBC and Kelly Bowden, from Action Canada. |
Liberal party member, Mr. George Chahal (Calgary Skyview) welcoming members of various advocacy organizations to discuss universal access to contraceptives in Canada. |
Ms. Frédérique Chabot, acting Executive Director of Action Canada, advocating for sexual health and reproductive rights. |
Dr. Rupinder Toor, founder of Project of EmpowHER. Dr. Toor spearheaded the petition to House of Commons on universal access to contraception. |
Dr. Wendy Norman of CART UBC. Dr. Norman championed a successful campaign to make contraceptives free in British Columbia. |
Ms. Lee Allison Clark from the Native Women's Association, who spoke brilliantly about forced sterilization on Indigenous Women and the impact on their reproductive choices.
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CONTACTS:
Patrick O’Reilly,
SOGC Communications Specialist
Tel: 438-370-5095
Email: [email protected]
Download Press Release as PDF.