Access Now Nova Scotia

Coalition

Making contraception free
for Nova Scotians

Access Now Nova Scotia Image

Who We Are

Nova Scotians pursuing barrier free access to contraception in consideration of gender equity, best medical practices, and smart economics.

Our Goal

No cost prescription contraception for Nova Scotians.

Fundamentals

  • Access to contraception is recognized as a basic human right but unfortunately, many Nova Scotians can’t access this right due to financial barriers; this becomes an equity issue as the cost of birth control falls disproportionately on women and people who can get pregnant.
  • Programs that offer free birth control have been shown to be revenue positive; the cost of providing free birth control is considerably lower than the costs associated with unintended pregnancy; for every $1 spent on contraceptive support, there can be as much as $90 in public expenditures on social supports; the BC Government predicts to save as much as $95 million annually.
  • Our current patchwork system of birth control coverage is not comprehensive and not sustainable; current pharmacare deductibles are cost prohibitive; many Nova Scotians have inadequate or no coverage.
  • Best medical practice indicates that providing contraceptive choice without barriers is fundamental to the overall health and wellbeing of patients; unintended pregnancies can have significant negative impacts on the physical, emotional, and socioeconomic lives of patients, their families, and their communities.

Events

Sept 2024:
Acadia University

More info to be posted shortly!

 

Access Now Nova Scotia Image

Previous Events

We loved this engaged group at Acadia University September 14th! Dr. Andrea Mossman and Katie Rennie were inspiring speakers. Thank you to everyone who attended.

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Access Now was represented at a rally during the 2024 Summer Meetings of Canadian Premiers in Halifax on July 16th.

Woman at Premiers Rally.

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Meeting with Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
May 24th, 2024

Amazing opportunity to discuss both federal and provincial advocacy efforts with our Prime Minister.

Access Now Nova Scotia delegates in a picture with Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

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Information Session, St FX University
Jan 11th, 2024

A great event hosting smart and diverse guest speakers including:
Dr.Rupinder Toor
Dr.Julie Vermeer
Susie Doucet
Alicia Teasdale

Thanks to all those who attended and continue to advocate for this worthy cause!

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Campaign Launch, Dalhousie University
Sept 26th, 2023

Thanks to everyone who attended! What a wonderful turnout with such an engaged and enthusiastic audience. We will take your energy forward as we endeavor to make our cause a reality.

All are welcome to join our Coalition and as well please send a letter to your local MLA by clicking the link above.

Current Members

Kari Ellen Graham
Founder/Co-Chair, Access Now NS
Primary Care Clinical Pharmacist

Katie Rennie
Co-Chair, Access Now NS

Project Assistant
Transition House Association of NS

Dr. Martha Paynter
Assistant Professor (Nursing)
University of New Brunswick

Anja McLeod
MA Student
Dalhousie University

Clare Heggie
PHD Student
University of New Brunswick

Claudia Chender
Leader of NS NDP

Grace Szucs
Constituency Assistant
Government of Nova Scotia

Stella Samuels
Executive Director,
Sexual Health Nova Scotia

Haileigh MacLeod
President Dalhousie University Nursing Society

Vanessa Walker
Executive Director, Cape Breton Centre for Sexual Health

Dr. Britney Benoit
Assistant Professor (Nursing)
St. Francis Xavier University

Alexandra Rose
Coordinator, NS Health Coalition

Vanessa Walker
Executive Director, CB Centre for Sexual Health

Kaitlin Strugnell
Pharmacy Student
Dalhousie University

Sophie McKenzie
Pharmacy Student
Dalhousie University

Dr. Julie Vermeer
Obstetrics/Gynecology
St.Martha's Regional Hospital

Alicia Teasdale
Co-owner and Director of Operations
Teasdale apothecary

 

 

 

 

Lauren Mills
Dalhousie University Medicine and Government Affairs Representative

Dr. Melissa Brooks
Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalhousie University

Elizabeth Corkum
Social Worker
Child and Family Wellbeing, DCS

Abbey Ferguson
Executive Director
Halifax Sexual Health Centre

Dr. Leisha Hawker
Past President of Doctors NS; Physician: North End Community Health Centre and Newcomers Clinic

Dr. Christine Saulnier
Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives - Nova Scotia

Natasha Hines
RN Clinical Director
Wellness Within

Kelty Moser
Executive Director
Sheet Harbour Sexual Health Centre

Jenny Rand
Sexual Health Nova Scotia Board Chair and Academic

Ann De Ste Croix
Provincial Coordinator
Transition House Association of NS

Hailey VanDuinkerken
Pharmacy Student
Dalhousie University

Hannah Creene
Pharmacy Student
Dalhousie University

Kim MacDonald
Procurement Services
St Francis Xavier University

Susie Doucet
Community Outreach Facilitator
Antigonish Women's Resource Centre

Alison Graham
Councillor
Town of Truro, Nova Scotia

Kristina Fifield
Avalon Sexual Health Centre, Halifax

Emma Halpern
Executive Director
Elizabeth Fry Society Mainland Nova Scotia

Sharelyn Stone
Executive Director
Chebucto Family Centre

Tara Downey
Social Worker
North End Community Health Centre

Dr. Sarah Rodimon
Executive Director
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre

Dr. James Bentley
Department Head
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalhousie University

Dr. Andrew Lynk
Department Head
Pediatrics, Dalhousie University

Julie Veinot
Executive Director
South Shore Sexual Health

Lauren Matheson
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Nova Scotia

 

Dr. Rhea MacDonald
Family and Emergency Medicine
Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital

Shelley Amyotte
National Communications Representative
Unifor

Melanie Dunlop
President, Nurse Practitioner Association of NS

April Negus
Nurse Practitioner Association of NS

 

 

 

Supporting Organizations

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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalhousie University

Department of Pediatrics,
Dalhousie University

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Gender Affirming Care NS

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Maritime Resident Doctors logo
Doctors Nova Scotia Logo
Association of Nova Scotia Midwives Logo
CAPE NS Logo
Dalhousie University Department of Family Medicine logo
Tri-County Women's Centre
SHRC logo

Photos

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Contact us and/or join our coalition at:

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Located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We are all Treaty people.