Abortion Position Statement
The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health (CFSH) supports the right of all women to accurate, non-judgmental information concerning all pregnancy options, and their right to choose and obtain an abortion.
Access to abortion services should be equally available to all women in Canada, guaranteed under the Canada Health Act, and should be medically supervised, safe and fully funded.
CFSH supports the role of provincial Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in the regulation and delivery of abortion services in Canada.
CFSH believes that:
- Women have the right to access abortion services without delay, limitations or restrictions, including the need to, or cost of, travelling excessive distances to find services.
- Providers of abortion services have the right to work with dignity in a safe, respectful and supportive environment.
- Facilities that provide abortion have the obligation to deliver comprehensive abortion services in a safe, respectful and supportive environment.
CFSH supports readily accessible, readily available, unrestricted and unlimited access to medical and surgical abortion for all women throughout Canada including the following:
- Guaranteed reciprocal billing through the Canada Health Act
- Classification of abortion as an "essential service"
- Guaranteed education and training of health professionals to provide abortion services
- Better access to pro-choice pre- and post-abortion counselling
- Better access to pre- and post-abortion medical care (including ultrasound and medical follow-up)
- Assured referral to abortion services when requested
As a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, CFSH works to ensure the elimination of unsafe abortions and to increase the right of access to safe, legal abortions for women worldwide.
Updated December, 2010 JL
