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Abortion in Canada

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Information about abortion access and supports in Canada, funding programs, and resources in your province or territory.

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In Canada, abortion (voluntary termination of a pregnancy) is a legal and regulated medical procedure to terminate a pregnancy. It is important to note that provinces and territories have different guidelines related to abortions.

Everyone has the right to make decisions about their own bodies, and no one should be forced to carry an unwanted or unsafe pregnancy.

In Canada, the majority of abortions happen in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Different clinics and hospitals have different limits for how far into pregnancy they offer abortions. Some hospitals are now offering services later into pregnancy than they used to. Late-term abortions are rare and usually occur because of serious medical issues.

Abortion is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in the country. Roughly 1 in 3 women in Canada will have an abortion during their lifetime. Canada has limited information on how many trans and non-binary people access abortion services, but we know that they do as well.

You do not need consent from partners or parents to seek an abortion. However, provinces and territories have different guidelines for how minors can consent to medical treatment.

Types of abortion

There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. You should discuss which one is right for you with a qualified health care provider before beginning any type of medical care.

Medical abortion

Medical abortion uses prescription medication. Though it's commonly called the 'abortion pill', it's actually two medications that work together. In Canada, the medication package is called Mifegymiso and includes Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills.

Only physicians and nurse practitioners are authorized by provinces and territories to prescribe Mifegymiso in Canada with the exception of Québec, where midwives can also prescribe it. An ultrasound isn't necessary to get a prescription most of the time, but you may need one if you're not sure when your pregnancy started.

With a prescription, a pharmacist is able to dispense the medication. Some clinics are able to dispense directly to patients, without the need to go to a pharmacy. Some provinces and territories also have telemedicine abortion programs, where patients can be screened and get a prescription by telephone or through virtual appointments.

Find out how to receive care in your province or territory

Surgical abortion

A surgical abortion is an internal procedure to end a pregnancy and takes place in a hospital or clinic. It's also called a procedural abortion and is a low-risk medical procedure. Second trimester procedural abortion is also safe, but more complicated than an earlier abortion and may require an extra visit to your health care provider.

Available supports: Financial, logistical and talk or text lines support

If you've had or plan to have an abortion, financial and emotional supports are available.

Medical and surgical abortion are free to all patients in Canada with:

If you're in Canada but outside your home province or territory, you should be able to access the abortion pill from a local provider. All provincial health insurance plans cover the cost of abortion pills. In some cases, you may need to pay upfront to get the medication while travelling and do paperwork to get reimbursed. No matter which province or territory you're in, you're eligible for counselling, assessments and follow-up at no cost.

Find services near you that provide financial and logistical support (Action Canada)

Mixed emotions are normal and common, and there are coping strategies and supports available for you. Emotional responses after receiving an abortion often vary, with people reporting a range of emotions from relief to grief.

Contact a talk or text line for support

Crisis pregnancy centres

Crisis pregnancy centres are usually run by anti-abortion organizations. They often look like clinics or support centres, but they are designed to discourage people from getting an abortion.

What Canada is doing

Abortion is healthcare, and the Government of Canada is committed to upholding your fundamental right to choose. We're working to:

Although abortion is legal in Canada, many people experience barriers to access. Barriers can vary in different regions, but often include:

Some people, including youth, Indigenous and racialized people, people living with disabilities, as well as members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community may find that their previous experiences of discrimination within the health care system can also make it difficult for them to get the care they need.

To increase access to abortion, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund has provided support to the following national projects:

These projects improve access by removing barriers to abortion services and by offering the public accurate reproductive health information.

Learn more about the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund and its projects

History of abortion in Canada

Abortion became legal in Canada through the Criminal Law Amendment Act, passed in 1969. At that time, abortions could take place in hospitals, but only if a 3-doctor committee determined that the pregnancy posed a danger to the parent's health. In 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the Criminal Code provisions restricting abortion were unconstitutional and struck them down. Since then, abortion has been treated as a healthcare service.

Resources

National resources

Talk or text support lines

For residents of Canada in the US:

Provincial and territorial resources

Find services and resources specific to your province or territory. If your area isn't listed, talk to a health care provider or your local telehealth service to find the right supports for you.

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Québec

Saskatchewan

Yukon

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