Access Now Nova Scotia
Coalition
Making contraception free
for Nova Scotians
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!
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
Gender Affirming Care NS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalhousie University
Department of Pediatrics,
Dalhousie University
Located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We are all Treaty people.