Access Now Nova Scotia

Coalition

Making contraception free
for Nova Scotians

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Who we Are

Nova Scotians pursuing universal 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 with uteruses.
  • 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.

Campaign Launch

Sept 26th 2023:
World Contraception Day

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Dalhousie Weldon Law Building, Rm 104

Light lunch provided

Panel of guest speakers + open Question and Answer period

All are welcome!

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Current Members Of Our Coalition

Kari Ellen Graham
Community Pharmacist

Dr. Martha Paynter
Assistant Professor (Nursing) UNB

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

Lauren Mills
Dal Med and Govt Affairs Rep

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, 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

Kristina Fifield
Avalon

Emma Halpern
Elizabeth Fry

Sharelyn Stone
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

Supporting Organizations

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Gender Affirming Care NS

 

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalhousie University

Department of Pediatrics,
Dalhousie University

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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.