Press Releases and Statements

Reproductive Justice Advocates Condemn UCP Failure to Support Free Prescription Contraception
AccessBC, November 29, 2023
AccessBC, the campaign that successfully advocated for free prescription contraception in BC, expresses its disappointment at the United Conservative Party of Alberta’s failure to support free prescription contraception.
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Birth Control Access Manitoba Celebrates Government’s Commitment to Free Prescription Contraception
Birth Control Access Manitoba, November 22, 2023
On Tuesday, November 22, the provincial government announced in its Speech from the Throne that it would be making prescription contraception free. While the Throne Speech did not include details, the Manitoba NDP’s election platform included a promise to “cover the full cost of dozens of commonly used birth-control methods, including oral contraceptives, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), hormonal injections and the morning-after pill.”
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Reproductive Justice Advocates Celebrate Manitoba’s Commitment to Free Prescription Contraception
AccessBC, Nov. 22, 2023
“In British Columbia we've seen how impactful free contraception has been, with more than 166,000 people able to access this basic healthcare since the policy was implemented,” said Devon Black, co-founder and national liaison for AccessBC, the campaign that successfully advocated for free prescription contraception in British Columbia. “We're thrilled at the success of our fellow advocates in Manitoba, and we look forward to when free contraception becomes a reality across Canada.”

Advocacy Strategies in Reproductive Healthcare: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Canadian Universal No-Cost Prescription Contraceptive Campaigns
AccessBC, Oct. 9, 2023
Ten provinces/territories have income-based coverage. Five formalized no-cost contraception campaigns were found: AccessBC, Wellness Within, Universal Access to Contraception Saskatchewan, Birth Control Access for Manitoba, Cover ContraceptiON. Three were clinician-founded and all have clinician-trainee involvement. All conduct research, make statements, consult with government, and engage in public mobilization. Two have letter writing campaigns and six political parties have endorsed the policy. British Columbia was the first to implement universal no-cost contraception on April 1, 2023.

AccessBC Campaign Celebrates First World Contraception Day with Free Prescription Contraception in BC!
AccessBC, Sept. 26, 2023
“Today, we are celebrating BC’s leadership on reproductive justice,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, AccessBC Campaign Chair and Co-founder. “This year, BC became the first province in Canada to make prescription contraception universally available at no cost, and the policy has already helped transform lives and improve the health and well-being of British Columbians.”

Survey Shows 83 % of Canadians Approve of Free Prescription Birth Control Across Canada. 7 in 10 Feel it is an Urgent Issue.
Project EmpowHer,
August 15, 2023
A new survey conducted by Abacus Data, an Ottawa polling firm, shows exceptionally high approval amongst Canadians for federal universal coverage of contraception. The survey reveals that 83% of Canadians approve of a federal policy for free prescription birth control across Canada, given studies show each $1 invested in universal contraception can save up to $9 in taxpayer dollars.

AccessBC Campaign Celebrates Beginning of Free Prescription Contraception in BC!
AccessBC, March 29, 2023
AccessBC is delighted that British Columbia has become the first jurisdiction in Canada to make all prescription contraception free. On April 1, 2023, prescription contraception will be made free to all British Columbia residents. The 2023 provincial budget has dedicated $119 million over three years for a program that will fully cover prescription contraception options, including most oral pills, injections, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, and Plan B (also known as the morning after pill).

BC Reproductive Justice Manifesto
AccessBC and Allies
June 22, 2022
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) advocates in BC and across Canada have joined their voices together to demand reproductive justice. Advocates are calling on the federal and provincial governments to do more than make statements or release small amounts of funding – they must take real action to improve people’s access to SRH in Canada.
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November 29, 2023 - "Reproductive Justice Advocates Condemn UCP Failure to Support Free Prescription Contraception."
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November 22, 2023 - "Reproductive Justice Advocates Celebrate Manitoba’s Commitment to Free Prescription Contraception."
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November 22, 2023 - "Birth Control Access Manitoba Celebrates Government’s Commitment to Free Prescription Contraception."
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October 9, 2023 - "Advocacy Strategies in Reproductive Healthcare: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Canadian Universal No-Cost Prescription Contraceptive Campaigns."
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September 26, 2023 - "AccessBC Campaign Celebrates First World Contraception Day with Free Prescription Contraception in BC!"
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August 15, 2023 - "Survey Shows 83 % of Canadians Approve of Free Prescription Birth Control Across Canada. 7 in 10 Feel it is an Urgent Issue."
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August 2, 2023 - "AccessBC Supports Launch of National Contraception Petition."
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March 29, 2023 - "AccessBC Campaign Celebrates Beginning of Free Prescription Contraception in BC!"
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February 28, 2023 - "AccessBC Campaign Celebrates Government’s Commitment to Free Prescription Contraception."
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February 13, 2023 - "AccessBC Campaign Statement for Sexual and Reproductive Health Week."
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January 22, 2023 - "AccessBC Campaign Installs Skytrain Ads Calling for Free Prescription Contraception."
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January 17, 2023 - "AccessBC Campaign Installs Billboard Calling for Free Prescription Contraception."
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December 8, 2022 - "AccessBC Campaign Statement for International Human Rights Day - December 10, 2022."
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December 1, 2022 - "AccessBC Campaign Launches Billboard Fundraising Campaign."
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September 26, 2022 - "AccessBC Campaign Statement for World Contraception Day & a Night for Action Event."
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April 11, 2022 - "Summerland Supports Reproductive Justice."
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May 12, 2022 - "Standing up for Reproductive Rights and Justice in BC and Canada!"
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May 3, 2022 - "AccessBC Campaign Response to Leaked Draft SCOTUS Opinion Overturning Roe V. Wade."
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April 25, 2022 - "Saanich Joins Call for Free Prescription Contraception."
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April 14, 2022 - "Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget (2022)."
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February 22, 2022 - "AccessBC Campaign Disappointed to see Yet Another Provincial Budget Without Free Prescription Contraception."
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February 7, 2022 - "AccessBC Campaign Statement for Black History Month."
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Decemver 6, 2021 - "AccessBC Campaign Statement for International Human Rights Day - December 10, 2021."
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September 21, 2021 - "Joint Statement: Sexual and Reproductive Health Advocates Call for Free Prescription Contraception on World Contraception Day 2021."
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September 15, 2021 - "Frontline Healthcare Workers Call for Universal Free Contraception."
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September 3, 2021 - "AccessBC Campaign - 2022 Budget Consultation Written Submission."
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July 30, 2021 - "City of Courtenay Council Calls on Provincial Government to Make All Prescription Contraception Free."
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May 10, 2021 - "Fort St. John Endorses Free Prescription Contraception."
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April 20, 2021 - "AccessBC Statement on the 2021 BC Provincial Budget Release."
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March 8, 2021 - "AccessBC Campaign Statement: International Women’s Day 2021."
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February 9, 2021 - "Joint Statement with Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights for Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week 2021."
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February 1, 2021 - "Valemount Council Steps up for Equality - Will Offer Free Condoms and Menstrual Products at Facilities and Endorses Free Prescription Contraception."
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December 2, 2020 - "National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - AccessBC Campaign Statement."
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August 7, 2020 - "Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget - AccessBC."
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July 27, 2020 - "2020 Budget Estimates - Health."
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June 10, 2020 - Hansard - "Devon Black Presentation to Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services."
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March 6, 2020 - "Burnaby Endorses No-Cost Prescription Contraception and AccessBC Campaign Statement for International Women's Day."
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March 3, 2020 - "Vancouver City Council Supports No-Cost Prescription Contraception."
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February 20, 2020 - "Fat Besties Endorses the AccessBC Universal Contraception Coverage Campaign."
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February 18, 2020 - "AccessBC Campaign Response to 2020 Budget."
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February 15, 2020 - "Letter to Minister Morneau, Re: Pharmacare."
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February 12, 2020 - "Canadian Federation of Medical Students - AccessBC Joint Statement."
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January 28, 2020 - "Support for Universal Contraception Coverage - Joint Statement: UBC Medical Undergraduate Society and AccessBC."
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January 23, 2020 - "Victoria City Council Supports No-Cost Prescription Contraception."
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January 22, 2020 - "Media Advisory - Victoria City Council to Debate No-Cost Contraception Motion."
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January 16, 2020 - "Women's March 2020 - Statement, AccessBC."
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January 10, 2020 - "AccessBC Campaign for Free Prescription Contraception Building Momentum."
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December 17, 2019 - "International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers - Statement."
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December 6, 2019 - "AccessBC Statement for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women."
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September 26, 2019 - "World Contraception Day - Joint statement, Options for Sexual Health - AccessBC."
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August 7, 2019 - "2020 Budget Consultation Recommendations."