N.B. health workers launch abortion care network on Morgentaler anniversary
Health-care providers in New Brunswick are launching a new abortion services network ahead of Saturday's 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Morgentaler decision.
The New Brunswick Abortion Care Network's 20 founding members -- who are in nursing, pharmacy, family medicine and obstetrics -- aim to increase access to and awareness of provincial abortion care, said Martha Paynter, a nursing professor and spokesperson for the new group.
"The most important thing is for the public to understand that abortion is normal, safe and common," said Paynter, who teaches at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.
Despite provincial restrictions that only fund surgical abortions at three hospitals, safe and accessible medication abortions are widely available across the province, she said.
The network is being launched 35 years after the Jan. 28, 1988, Supreme Court of Canada ruling that upheld an acquittal of abortion advocate Henry Morgentaler and struck down the law that criminalized abortion.
In 2017, New Brunswick became the first province to publicly fund medication abortions, in which a pregnancy is ended by taking two pills.
New Brunswickers can access abortions through primary care services, or they can self-refer to the province's three family planning centres.
The province is home to Clinic 554 in Fredericton -- the former Morgentaler clinic -- which offers abortions, but at an out-of-pocket cost of up to $850.
Paynter said the new network's two major goals are to ensure that residents are aware of the options available and to promote abortion-care training among health professionals across New Brunswick.
"It's wonderful that any family doctor or nurse practitioner could in theory prescribe (a medication abortion), but finding those providers who are confident and competent to do so can be a challenge for patients," she said.
As well, Paynter said the group would like to help broaden the conversation around abortion to include other barriers to care. These include the lack of rural public transit to get people to medical appointments, and the long wait times before new New Brunswickers can secure provincial health cards.
"Let's make this conversation a lot bigger," she said.
"We want to change the conversation to something that is positive, inclusive and that results in expedited access to quality abortion care."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2023.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump vows to renegotiate USMCA free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico
Donald Trump has vowed to renegotiate the USMCA free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.
Poilievre, Guilbeault claim victory after federal budget watchdog's updated carbon tax report
Both the Liberals and Conservatives are claiming a win after the parliamentary budget officer released an updated report on the economic impacts of the federal carbon tax on Canadian households.
Look up: Northern lights could be visible across Canada on Thursday night
The northern lights could be visible across most of Canada on Thursday night.
1 person is dead and 12 are trapped in a former Colorado gold mine
One person was killed and officials were working to rescue 12 others trapped deep beneath the surface of a former Colorado gold mine after an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday.
'This is money, this is my life': Victim of violent Thornhill robbery says he had around $110K stolen
The victim of a violent robbery in Thornhill says he had $100,000 to $110,000 stolen from him after being boxed in his car.
Winnipeg School Division apologizes over message displayed during professional development day
The superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) has apologized over a message displayed during a professional development day on Wednesday.
Another Canadian reportedly dead in Lebanon amid escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Global Affairs Canada says it's aware of reports of the death of a Canadian in Lebanon.
340 rescued following Hurricane Milton's widespread destruction
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction and immobilizing critical infrastructure. Hundreds of residents have been rescued so far.
Senate passes Liberal, NDP bill to cover diabetes and birth control medication
The pharmacare bill that was central to a political pact between the Liberals and NDP become law Thursday after the Senate passed the bill without making any changes.