If you Choose an Abortion

Abortion in Canada is legal and safe. Abortions are provided in both hospitals and clinics in Canada except for Prince Edward Island which has no abortion services.

Hospital Abortions

There are a few differences between hospitals and clinics in terms of abortion provision. Many hospitals require that the woman be referred by a doctor for an abortion. Hospitals use a general anaesthetic (meaning that you are put to sleep) for the procedure. Because of the general anesthetic, many hospitals require that youth under a certain age get parental consent for the procedure. More than one appointment may be required. An initial consultation and clinical assessment may be done in one appointment and the abortion done in a second appointment. Hospitals perform medical procedures other than abortions, which provides a certain level of anonymity. Be aware that the support staff you encounter at a hospital may not all be pro-choice.

Abortion Clinics

A doctor’s referral is not necessary at private abortion clinics. Clinics use local anaesthetic, which means that she is awake for the procedure. Most abortion clinics require only one appointment. You may be required to obtain an ultrasound elsewhere or they may perform the ultrasound on site. Lastly, because abortion clinics only provide abortions and no other services, the staff you encounter will be pro-choice. You will not, however, have as much anonymity as you would in a hospital.

Abortion Wait Times

Wait times for abortion differ depending on where you are located. In some cities, you can get an appointment within a week; in other places, you may have to wait upwards of 4 weeks. For people who live in rural areas, there may not be an abortion provider nearby and so you may have to travel to a larger urban centre for an appointment. Wait times can also change at a particular location, depending on the demand for services at a given time.

Getting a Referral

Some doctors are opposed to abortion and will not provide the necessary referral for the procedure. You may not be comfortable asking your family doctor for a referral. If you want to have a hospital abortion you can obtain a doctor’s referral by calling your local public health department (under government listings in the phone book).

If you want to have an abortion at a clinic, call the National Abortion Federation’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-772-9100 or visit the online listing of abortion providers across Canada.

You can also obtain more information from your local member of the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health.