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Abortion rights supporters in Vancouver rally in solidarity over post-Roe American future
CityNews, Vancouver
May 14, 2022
The spotlight on the access to safe abortion in the U.S. has motivated abortion rights supporters in Vancouver to march and rally to express their outrage.
“I’m here in solidarity with all of the women and people with uteruses who are being denied their basic right and need to access abortion care,” one demonstrator tells CityNews.

March for Life in Victoria attracts hundreds amid U.S. abortion debate
CTV News, Vancouver
May 12, 2022
Advocates fighting for better access to abortions and contraception point out while abortion is legal, many barriers still exist when it comes to reproductive rights. Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaraff is a co-founder of Access B.C. He said the costs for contraception can be immense, and then there are additional challenges.
"If you live in a rural or remote community, you have to pay for transportation to and from a clinic. You have to pay for child care if you have children, take time off work or school, and those costs all add up," he told CTV News.

Advocates press B.C. Liberal leader to clarify stance on free contraception, access to safe abortion
CityNews, Vancouver
May 12, 2022
A grassroots group in B.C. seeking free contraception for all British Columbians is pressing provincial Liberal leader to clarify if he supports reproductive health choices and safe access.
Teale Phelps Bondaroff is the chair and co-founder of Access BC. He sent a letter to the newly elected B.C.’s opposition Liberal leader Kevin Falcon.

'Not just a U.S. issue': Advocates urge feds to broaden safe abortion access in Canada
CityNews, Vancouver
May 12, 2022
The recent spotlight on safe abortions in the U.S. has highlighted that many Canadians face a number of barriers when accessing their reproductive options, says one advocate.
Unless you live in Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal, “it’s very challenging to access abortion care,” said Makeda Zook, access line program manager at Action Canada for Sexual Health and Right.

How the U.S. abortion paper leak is bringing B.C.'s reproductive access into focus
Vancouver Is Awesome
May 11, 2022
“We need politicians to bring that same energy when it comes to tackling other barriers to reproductive care. We have politicians saying you have a right to an abortion, which you absolutely do. And that's fundamental, but we don't have them throwing that same energy behind efforts to prevent unplanned pregnancy to remove other barriers to people accessing reproductive health services.”
This is one reason why AccessBC has been advocating for free prescription contraception in B.C. since 2017: conducting research, meeting with MLAs and consulting with government.

BC’s abortion problem is access, not laws
The Tyee, May 6, 2022
“I see the downstream effects of people not having access to contraception every day when I go to work,” said Habte, noting the distress unwanted pregnancies can cause.
Habte encouraged concerned British Columbians to channel their frustration and fear into advocacy to their MLAs and other elected officials for better contraception and abortion access here in B.C. “There are tangible things we can do,” she said.

L’accès à l’avortement est toujours difficile dans les milieux ruraux en C.-B.
Radio Canada, May 5, 2022
Organisatrice de la campagne AccessBC, la Dre Habte indique que la province a encore du travail à faire pour soutenir tout le spectre de la santé reproductrice, notamment en rendant la contraception gratuite, ce que les trois principaux partis politiques provinciaux ont déjà promis.

Ruth Habte on the Early Edition with Stephen Quinn
CBC Radio, May 4, 2022
A leaked draft opinion from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito suggests the landmark Roe v Wade decision that allowed legal abortions in The United States may be overturned. That has the put the spotlight on reproductive health and rights here in Canada - and around the world. Dr. Ruth Habte joins us now for more on this story. She is a resident physician at UBC in Obstetrics and Gynecology and also a campaign organizer with Access BC, a group looking to make all contraception available free of charge.

Leaked Roe v. Wade draft puts B.C. abortion access in the spotlight
CBC, May 3, 2022
As campaign organizer for AccessBC, Habte said the province still has a long way to go in supporting the spectrum of reproductive care, including making prescription contraception free, something all three major provincial parties have promised. "It makes very little sense to have the downstream outcomes of pregnancy covered," she said.
"If you have high blood pressure in pregnancy, if you need prenatal care, if you want an abortion, all of those things are covered. But all the upstream preventative effects are not."

Advocates for free contraception disappointed election promise wasn't funded in 2022 B.C. budget
CBC, March 3, 2022
A B.C. advocacy group is calling on the provincial government to provide free prescription contraception to all British Columbians after it was promised during the 2020 election campaign but not included in the 2022 provincial budget. In a statement, Access B.C. says it was extremely disappointed in the lack of funding and wants the B.C. NDP to "fulfill its election promise to make all forms of prescription contraception universally accessible at no cost."

No free contraception in B.C.’s 2022 budget
Politics Today, Feb. 28, 2022
“Two years later, to still not have a policy enactment is incredibly disappointing, and it’s something that affects the patients that I take care of every single day,” Habte told BC Today. “Every budget that it is not included in, we simply have more patients who are unable to access the medicines that they need to get to, and that results in unintended pregnancies and costs for the government.”

Access to Free and Effective Contraception is a Basic Human Right
The Public Health Insight, September 26, 2021
Many of us know someone who has used contraception in their lifetime, whether for birth control or for the multitude of other benefits it provides. In Ontario for example, those under the age of 25 tend not to think about the cost thanks to provincial health insurance covering most of the available contraceptive options.

Free contraception is still out of reach for Canadians
The Pidgeon, March 18, 2021
“Almost everyone in British Columbia has either used contraception or has benefited from their partners using contraception, so the idea of this being a special interest issue is just wildly divorced from reality,” Black said.
“The other thread of opposition that we’ve heard […]is ultimately grounded in a desire to control women’s bodies.”

B.C. NDPs free birth control pledge a win for equality, will pay for itself: advocates
Victoria News, Oct. 14, 2020
The campaign promise, announced by NDP Leader John Horgan last week, is expected to cost $60 million each year.
Devon Black and Teale Phelps Bondaroff, co-founders of AccessBC, said that they’ve been advocating for free birth control in B.C. for four years. “We were really excited,” Phelps Bondaroff said. The group, although non-partisan, helped pass the policy at an NDP convention in 2017, the first step to getting it to an election platform.

B.C. NDP promises free prescription contraception if elected
The Globe and Mail,
October 14, 2021
“This is such an important step,” said Chen. “It has been such a barrier for people to be able to have their basic reproductive health and rights.”
The party said the program to provide, for example, oral contraceptive pills or intrauterine devices, will cost the government $60 million a year.
Chen said the move to make prescription contraception free is a continuation of the effort the government made to have free menstrual products in the bathrooms of all public schools.
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2022-05-15 – The Ubyssey: "‘Our bodies are not political playgrounds’: Protestors gather downtown for reproductive rights rally."
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2022-05-14 – Global News: "Advocates rally in support of abortion rights in Vancouver."
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2022-05-14 – CityNews, Vancouver: "Abortion rights supporters in Vancouver rally in solidarity over post-Roe American future."
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2022-05-12 – Hansard Blues: "Budget Estimates: Health."
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2022-05-12 – CTV News, Vancouver: "March for Life in Victoria attracts hundreds amid U.S. abortion debate."
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2022-05-12 – City News, Vancouver: "Advocates press B.C. Liberal leader to clarify stance on free contraception, access to safe abortion."
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2022-05-12 – CityNews, Vancouver: "'Not just a U.S. issue': Advocates urge feds to broaden safe abortion access in Canada."
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2022-05-11 – Vancouver Is Awesome: "How the U.S. abortion paper leak is bringing B.C.'s reproductive access into focus."
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2022-05-06 – The Tyee: "BC’s abortion problem is access, not laws."
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2022-05-05 – CFAX 1070: "US Supreme Court considering reversal of Roe v. Wade: Leaked Document."
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2022-05-05 – Radio Canada: "L’accès à l’avortement est toujours difficile dans les milieux ruraux en C.-B."
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2022-05-04 – CBC Radio - The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn: "We hear from an OBGYN for her thoughts on the news that Roe v Wade may be overturned in the U.S."
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2022-05-03 – CBC News: "Leaked Roe v. Wade draft puts B.C. abortion access in the spotlight."
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2022-04-26 – CTV News: "Saanich endorses call for free contraception in B.C."
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2022-04-26 – Vancouver Island Free Daily: "Saanich council joins push for free prescription contraception."
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2022-04-05 – Energetic City: "NRRM pens letter in support of no-cost prescription contraception to B.C.’s health minister."
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2022-04-01 – Daily Hive: "Opinion: Gas rebate cheques do nothing for BC's affordability crisis."
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2022-03-14 – LUEE Podcast: "Episode 177: Contraception Should Be Free."
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2022-03-08 – Vernon Matters: "‘Missed opportunity’ to deliver on free contraception in Budget 2022: AccessBC."
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2022-03-08 – Times Colonist: "Green MLA calls on province to deliver free contraception, as promised."
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2022-03-08 – BC Greens: "B.C. Greens call for free contraception."
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2022-03-04 – Quebec News: "Les défenseurs de la contraception gratuite ont déçu que la promesse électorale n’ait pas été financée dans le budget 2022 de la Colombie-Britannique."
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2022-03-03 – CBC: "Advocates for free contraception disappointed election promise wasn't funded in 2022 B.C. budget."
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2022-02-28 – Radio Victoria: "L’absence de la contraception gratuite au budget 2022."
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2022-02-28 – Politics Today: "No free contraception in B.C.’s 2022 budget."
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2022-01-15 – Saanich News: "Saanich dragging its feet on endorsing free contraception."
2021
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2021-12-08 – BC Humanist Association: "AccessBC: It's time for free prescription contraception in BC!"
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2021-11-15 – Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services: "Report on the Budget 2022 Consultation." (p.104)
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2021-11-10 – The Cascade: "A hard pill to swallow: contraception should be free."
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2021-10-28 – Hansard Blues: "Question Period - October 28, 2021."
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2021-10-28 – Hansard Video: "Question Period - October 28, 2021."
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2021-10-05 – Options for Sexual Health: "Recap: Rally for Reproductive Rights and Justice."
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2021-09-27 – Prince George Daily News: "Sexual and reproductive health advocates call for free prescription contraception."
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2021-09-26 – The Public Health Insight: "Access to Free and Effective Contraception is a Basic Human Right."
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2021-09-25 – Radio Victoria: "Campagne pour la gratuité des contraceptifs sous ordonnance: Entrevue avec Teale Phelps Bondaroff."
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2021-09-23 – CGSHE: "Reproductive Justice, Health Equity & the Campaign for No-Cost Contraception in BC - Dr. Ruth Habte."
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2021-09-16 – Castanet: "Call for free contraception: AccessBC campaign seeks free prescription contraception for B.C. women."
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2021-09-15 – New Westminster Record: "Campaign calls for free prescription contraception across B.C."
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2021-07-26 – Saanich News: "Saanich-based group continues its call for no-cost birth control."
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2021-07-21 – Comox Valley Record: "Physician asking Courtenay council for support for no-cost prescription contraception."
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2021-06-20 – Parksville Qualicum Beach News: "Parksville council receives letter from B.C.’s health minister regarding free prescription contraception."
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2021-04-27 – Saanich News: "Advocates disappointed to see universal birth control coverage missing in 2021 B.C. budget."
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2021-04-21 – My Cowichahn Valley Now: "Critics say Provincial Budget Has Some Needed Investments But Lacks Vision."
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2021-04-20 – CBC News: "B.C. budget gets as much discussion for what was left out as what was put in."
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2021-04-20 – CTV News: "Consumer round-up: B.C.'s budget hikes tobacco tax, provides free transit for kids."
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2021-04-20 – The Tyee: "BC’s Health Spending Breakdown: What’s in the Budget, and What’s Missing."
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2021-04-20 – The Tyee: "BC’s Pandemic Budget Increases Spending and Forecasts Big Deficits."
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2021-03-22 – Loose Lips Magazine: "Free contraception in BC would help everyone, not just cis women."
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2021-03-18 – The Pidgeon: "Free contraception is still out of reach for Canadians."
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2021-03-17 – Parksville Qualicum Beach News: "City of Parksville to pen letter supporting no-cost access to specific gender-based contraceptives."
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2021-03-11 – CKPG Today: "Provincial group pushes for free contraception."
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2021-03-08 – Prince George Daily News: "AccessBC calls on government to provide free contraceptives."
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2021-03-08 – Vancouver is Awesome: "#IWD2021: On International Women’s Day, advocacy group is challenging B.C. to provide free contraception."
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2021-03-08 – The Columbia Valley Pioneer: "Free contraception."
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2021-03-05 – Clearwater Times: "Council supports Vernon’s push for free contraception."
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2021-02-27 – UBC Women's Health Research Cluster: "Are all women in Canada really free to choose?"
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2021-02-24 – Coast Reporter: "Sechelt council wants contraception to be free."
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2021-02-20 – Info News.ca: "Vernon urging province to consider no-cost contraceptives in B.C."
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2021-02-20 – Vernon Morning Star: "Pushing the Pill: Vernon’s push for free contraception backed by other municipalities."
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2021-02-20 – BC Local News: "Letter received by Parksville council seeks to provide no-cost access to prescription contraception under MSP."
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2021-02-19 – North Thompson Star/Journal: "The need for free prescription contraception in B.C."
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2021-02-15 – The Peak: "AccessBC advocates for no-cost prescription contraception."
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2021-02-12 – The Martlet: "Birth Control is empowering, here’s what you need to know about your contraception options."
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2021-02-10 – My Prince George Now: "UNBC could become first Canadian University to offer free menstrual products in bathrooms."
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2021-02-10 – Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal: "Letter to the Editor - A reader writes about the need for free prescription contraception in B.C."
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2021-02-07 – Victoria News: "It’s time for B.C. to offer free prescription contraception."
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2021-02-05 – Powell River Peak: "Free birth control supported by Powell River council."
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2021-02-05 – Penticton Herald: "Free prescription contraception needed."
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2021-02-01 – Prince George Daily News: "Valemount to offer free condoms and menstrual products at facilities; endorses free prescription contraception."
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2021-01-18 – TVO: "Why this group wants no-cost contraception for all Ontarians."
2020
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2020-12-20 – Mission Spooky Podcast: "Episode 44: Holiday Special: Ghosts of Christmas Past."
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2020-12-10 – West Coast Leaf: "COVID-19 BC Gender Equity Report Card."
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2020-11-29 – Humanist Canada: "Webinar Series 2020: Strategies in Reproductive Health Activism."
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2020-10-22 – The Discourse: "What will Nanaimo candidates do to make prescriptions more affordable?"
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2020-10-18 – Fraser Valley News: "Op/Ed – Ann Davis January Letter Sent to Premier, Local MLA’s On Free Contraceptives."
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2020-10-16 – Press Progress: "BC Liberal Candidate Resigns As Andrew Wilkinson’s Right-Wing Coalition Self-Destructs Over Birth Control."
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2020-10-15 – Sing Tao: "卑詩自由黨候選人特龍尼斯因優生和避孕言論廣受批評."
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2020-10-15 – CTV News: "Candidate resigns from BC Liberals after eugenics comments."
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2020-10-15 – The Free Press: "Sparwood to revisit vote on contraception support."
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2020-10-15 – Global News: "BC Liberal candidate Laurie Throness resigns following ‘eugenics’ comments."
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2020-10-15 – Terrace Standard: "B.C. NDP’s pledge of free birth control followed by Liberals, Greens."
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2020-10-15 – News 1130: "BC Liberal candidate Laurie Throness resigns from caucus after controversial comments."
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2020-10-15 – The Abbotsford News: "BC Liberal MLA Laurie Throness resigns from campaigning."
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2020-10-15 – CBC News: "BC Liberal candidate compares free contraception to eugenics."
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2020-10-15 – Castanet: "Candidate facing criticism."
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2020-10-15 – Huffington Post: "B.C. Liberal Candidate Laurie Throness Compares Free Birth Control To Eugenics."
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2020-10-15 – Vancouver Sun: "Throness back on hot seat over statement on NDP contraception plan."
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2020-10-15 – Vernon Morning Start: "Vernon 10th in B.C. to endorse free birth control."
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2020-10-15 – Surrey Now Leader: "BC Liberal leader rebukes candidate comparing free birth control to eugenics."
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2020-10-15 – North Shore News: "Free contraception like selective breeding: controversial Liberal candidate Laurie Throness."
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2020-10-15 – News 1130: "B.C. Liberal Laurie Throness slammed for comparing free birth control plan to eugenics."
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2020-10-14 – Victoria News: "B.C. NDPs free birth control pledge a win for equality, will pay for itself: advocates."
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2020-10-14 – Vernon Matters: "Council backs gender equity for birth control costs."
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2020-10-12 – Prince George Matters: "B.C. New Democrats promise renter's rebate, rent freeze as parties ready for debate."
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2020-10-11 – The Indo-Canadian Voice: "BC NDP: Free contraception will boost health outcomes, fight gender inequality, save money."
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2020-10-11 – Global News: "BC NDP pledge free prescription contraception, Liberals would scrap seniors’ driver exam fee."
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2020-10-11 – Global News: "Vernon council to consider motion on free prescription contraception."
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2020-10-11 – CBC News: "B.C. NDP promises free prescription contraception if elected."
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2020-10-11 – Castanet: "NDP promises birth control."
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2020-10-11 – Vancouver Sun: "B.C. NDP promises free prescription contraception if elected."
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2020-10-11 – Burnaby Now: "BC NDP promises free female contraception at a cost of $60M annually."
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2020-10-09 – The Orca: "When rights become reality."
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2020-10-08 – Victoria Buzz: "Advocates applaud BC NDP promise of free contraception."
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2020-10-07 – Daily Hive: "BC NDP promises to make prescription contraception free."
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2020-10-07 – Cranbrook Daily Townsman: "Sparwood dodges request for support for free contraception."
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2020-09-30 – Radio Canada Phare Ouest: "Contraceptifs gratuits en Colombie-Britannique : on en est où?"
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2020-09-28 – Cranbrook Daily Townsman: "Cranbrook and Kimberley Councils support initiative calling on BC Gov. to cover prescription contraception."
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2020-09-25 – Fraser Velley News: "2020 UBCM Meeting – Union of British Columbia Municipalities Supports Free Prescription Contraception."
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2020-09-25 – New Westminster Record: "New Westminster supports universal no-cost contraception."
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2020-09-23 – Turn Me On Podcast: "Access to Contraception."
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2020-09-12 – The Star: "Is Free Contraception Finally Coming to BC?"
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2020-09-12 – The Tyee: "Is Free Contraception Finally Coming to BC?"
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2020-09-09 – The Squamish Chief: "District of Squamish to discuss free menstrual products in municipal buildings."
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2020-09-04 – Squamish Reporter: "Squamish council supports free birth control prescription."
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2020-08-28 – My East Kootenay Now: "Campaign for free contraceptives brought to the East Kootenay."
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2020-08-17 – The Sunday Night Health Show: "COVID on the rise again, Insomnia, and spotting a Narcissist."
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2020-06-10 – Hansard: "Devon Black's Presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and government Services - Transcript."
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2020-06-10 – Hansard: "Devon Black's Presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and government Services - Audio."
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2020-05-27 – West Coast Leaf: "BC Gender Equity Report Card 2019/2020."
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2020-05-16 – Mission Spooky Podcast: "Bonus Bites #10: Spooky British Columbia: Part 1."
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2020-03-06 – Boundary Sentinel: "Vancouver City Council supports free prescription birth control."
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2020-03-03 – Castlegar Source: "Vancouver City Council supports free prescription birth control."
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2020-02-26 – News 1130: "Two Vancouver city councillors want all birth control in B.C. to be free."
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2020-02-20 – Saanich News: "No-cost birth control not included in 2020 B.C. budget."
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2020-02-15 – New Westminster Record: "Letter: B.C. funding free contraception is the humane choice."
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2020-02-13 – eNow: "Letter: It’s time for universal no-cost prescription contraception."
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2020-01-30 – Kelowna Daily Courier: "Letter: Free contraception is a human right."
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2020-01-26 – Times Colonist : “Our Community: Victoria joins call for no-cost contraception.”
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2020-01-24 – Global News: "City of Victoria calls on province to fund free birth control."
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2020-01-24 – Radio Victoria: “Contraception financée par la province : Le conseil municipal de Victoria en discute.”
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2020-01-23 – Sooke News Mirror: “Victoria council will debate support for provincially funded birth control.”
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2020-01-18 – Times Colonist: "Women's March in Victoria calls for equality."
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2020-01-17 – CFAX 1070: "Abortion doula: Abortion help is available."
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2020-01-17 – Times Colonist: “Women’s march in downtown Victoria on Saturday.”
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2020-01-14 – CFAX 1070: “Adam Stirling, Hour 3 – January 14.”
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2020-01-14 – Saanich News: "B.C. advocacy group ‘optimistic’ 2020 provincial budget will fund free birth control."
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2020-01-14 – CFAX 1070: "Campaign group pushing for free prescription contraceptives in BC."
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2020-01-12 – Vancouver sun: "Campaign for free prescription contraception ramps up ahead of B.C. budget."
2019
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2019-12-22 – Times Colonist: "Our Community: Red Umbrella Day calls for sex workers’ safety."
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2019-10-02 – Georgia Straight: "Sarah Leamon: Universal contraception makes good social and financial sense for Canada."
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2019-09-26 – Daily Hive Vancouver: “Group says prescription contraception should be free across BC.”
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2019-09-26 – Victoria New: "Groups call on province for free prescriptions on World Contraception Day."
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2019-09-25 – CTV News: "The pill should be free across B.C., groups argue on Gender Equality Week."
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2019-08-00 – Times Colonist: "Our Community: Group backs B.C. push for free contraception."
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2019-08-00 – BC Humanist Association: “BC Humanist Association Podcast - Bree Gardner from AccessBC.”
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2019-06-22 – Hansard: "Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff presentation to the Budget 2020 Consultation Committee."
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2019-03-26 – Radio Canada: “Une campagne pour le remboursement des contraceptifs féminins. ”
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2019-03-10 – Times Colonist: "Campaign aims to remove contraception barriers."
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2019-03-08 – CHEK News: “Saanich advocacy group calls for free prescription contraception in B.C.”
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2019-03-07 – Oak Bay News: “Provincial campaign started in Saanich calls for free prescription contraception.”