Free Contraception Should be Included in Nova Scotia’s Women’s Health Strategy
On September 14, 2026, the Nova Scotia government put out a news release outlining the action it plans to take to address women’s health in the province. Wellness Within and other members of the Access Now Nova Scotia coalition for free contraception applaud the NS government’s commitment to improving women’s healthcare. However, contraception and sexual/reproductive healthcare did not earn a mention in the province’s action plan.
"We at the Halifax Sexual Health Centre are excited to see promises of shorter wait times for breast health screening,” says Abbey Ferguson, executive director of the Halifax Sexual Health Centre, “We hope that these positive changes will inspire the government to address some of the other challenges that we, and members of Access Now, have brought to them, such as the cost of contraception”
The province highlights its focus on menopause care. Contraceptive medications are included among treatments of menopausal symptoms such as vasomotor symptoms and irregular bleeding. Since March 1, 2026, British Columbia residents have had access to free menopausal hormone therapy in addition to free contraception with national pharmacare provided by the federal government.
The benefits of free prescription contraception would be far-reaching. People could access it no matter where they live in the province — addressing rural health disparities in a way that a single clinic located in an urban centre cannot. Free prescription contraception can be used by thousands of people across the reproductive lifespan. It addresses a variety of health concerns including but not limited to unplanned pregnancy, acne, heavy/painful periods, irregular cycles, anemia associated with heavy periods, endometriosis, adenomyosis, PMDD, PMOS, menopause and more. Contraception can also be used to provide gender affirming care for trans and non-binary individuals. More people would be able to access the healthcare and medicine they need without a financial barrier preventing them from doing so.
Reproductive and sexual health affects women and gender-diverse individuals. Wellness Within and Access Now NS acknowledge the importance of gender inclusive language when discussing these areas of healthcare.
We are hopeful that the government of Nova Scotia will include the voices of our organizations and Access Now NS coalition members in these discussions — many of whom provide frontline services and are dedicated advocates for the betterment of reproductive and sexual health in our province.
Media Contacts:
Abbey Ferguson, Executive Director of Halifax Sexual Health Centre: ed@hshc.ca or 902-455-9656 ext. 2
Natasha Hines, Chair of Wellness Within: natasha_hines@outlook.com or 902-717-2956
