Québec solidaire wants to make access to contraception free

Photo: Rich Pedroncelli Archives Associated Press The Québec solidaire proposal is intended to be “broader than just contraception for women,” by covering all means of contraception in addition to free access to condoms.

Quentin Dufranne – The Canadian Press

Published at 3:35 p.m.

• Quebec

A petition calling for free access to contraception has already collected more than 72,000 signatures in just a few days. Québec solidaire now hopes that it will make its way to the Legault government and that it will follow suit with this preventive measure that would save it millions of dollars annually in managing unwanted pregnancies.

The petition launched by the Fédération du Québec pour le planning des naissances asks the Quebec government to “establish a program of free access to all methods of contraception available in Quebec, without exception.”

Although a health insurance program that includes contraceptives already exists at the federal level, the MNA for Mercier and Solidaire leader for the status of women, Ruba Ghazal, hopes that the province can give itself the means to achieve its ambitions in terms of protecting women’s rights.

“We want the federal government to give us money without conditions so that Quebec can create a program that meets its own needs,” the Solidarity MP explained to The Canadian Press, saying she is worried about a potential rise to power by the Conservatives.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

“There is money from the federal government that is available to Quebec and we should go get it without conditions before the Poilievre government comes in and finally decides that it is not a priority for them,” she explained. We know that in the Conservative Party of Canada, there are a large number of elected officials who are anti-women's choice […] we have to remain a bulwark against people who attack women's rights. »

According to Ruba Ghazal, such a measure would cost $48 million per year and would save no less than $71 million by preventing many unwanted pregnancies.

The QS proposal is intended to be “broader than just contraception for women,” by covering all methods of contraception in addition to free access to condoms.

Read also

• Minister Biron considers making contraception free in Quebec
• Martine Biron revises her position on the right to abortion
• Access to abortion in Quebec regions is still difficult

A petition that has gone “viral”

For Ruba Ghazal, there is no doubt that Donald Trump's election had a catalytic effect on the petition. The latter, which ends on November 25, has collected tens of thousands of signatures since the Republican candidate was elected to the White House on November 5.

“There is a border between the United States and Canada, but we could also be very heavily contaminated by this anti-women's choice movement,” added Ruba Ghazal. “It certainly worries me a lot and I want the CAQ government to hear this concern and to have the same concern, because it is for the right to abortion.” »

She intends to continue to question the minister responsible for the status of women, Martine Biron, on this subject, using various parliamentary means.

“It's expensive, and with the cost of living, women are not able to make the right choices for themselves, so it's in a way an attack on their right not to make it accessible.”

Ruba Ghazal therefore invites the CAQ government to take inspiration from British Columbia, which became, in April 2023, the first province in Canada to offer free prescription contraception.

Questioned on this subject, Minister Biron's office explained that it wanted to let “the petition progress until it is tabled in the National Assembly before commenting.”