Canada to offer ‘universal access to contraception’ funded by taxpayers

According to Health Canada, the universal coverage will result in 9 million Canadian women having access to contraceptives and “reproductive autonomy.”

"Cost has consistently been identified as the single most important barrier to access to these medications and the cost is unevenly borne by women and gender diverse Canadians. Bill C-64 will ensure that Canadians will have access to a comprehensive suite of contraceptive drugs and devices," Health Canada stated in its official announcement.

Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth of Canada, hailed the launch of the national pharmacare program's first phase, guaranteeing free contraceptives for women across the nation.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also highlighted the comprehensive nature of the program, emphasizing its universality and the “wide range of contraceptives” it will cover, including Intrauterine devices (IUDs), prescription contraceptives, and emergency contraception like Plan B.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring women have access to affordable contraception, stating “Women should be free to decide when and how they want to start a family.”

However, "Trudeau's use of the term 'women' in his statement promptly sparked ridicule from conservative critics, who highlighted the Prime Minister's prior assertion that men who identify as women should be considered as such.

In the past, Trudeau has affirmed the radical belief that men who identify as women are in fact women. Last year, on the onset of International Women's Day, Trudeau proudly claimed that 'trans women are women.'"