Spokesperson for Quebec solidaire Manon Massé is asking the Legault government to follow in the footsteps of British Columbia, which just made prescription contraception free.
• Also read: Free contraception: “women’s health is still 5% of the population”
“The leadership of British Columbia must wake up the Legault government to strong action.” In the context of the rapidly rising cost of living, we must remove financial barriers to access to contraception. By covering all forms of contraception in the RAMQ basket, we reduce unwanted pregnancies and support the right of women to make their own health choices,” says Manon Massé.
In a context where access to abortion is changing, especially in the United States, but also elsewhere in the world, Quebec should lead by example. “Government Legault spoke to us about the vision of feminism last week, here is a concrete opportunity to show the rest of North America that in the vision of Quebec feminism, access to contraception, like access to Abortion is guaranteed in Quebec; Ms. Massé adds.
Solidaire Québec also proposes to improve menstrual hygiene, such as tampons and sanitary napkins, available free of charge in public institutions such as schools, inspired by the Scottish program.
Citizens interviewed by TVA Nouvelles gave their opinion.
“It’s not really a method of working today for men. It’s a woman who has to accept, and therefore she should be free just from equity,” said the citizen.
“They shouldn’t have to pay for it. It’s very important for women,” the father said in part.
During the election campaign, Quebec solidaire estimated the cost of public contraception coverage at $48 million per year. According to a study by the Canadian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, such an investment would lead to annual savings of $71 million by reducing the cost of care related to unwanted pregnancies.
