“As we near another International Women’s Day, making contraception coverage is a priority … We have a chance here to finally get to work and make this happen, and I urge the (Ontario’s Ford) Conservatives to join us.” – Jennie Stevens, NDP MPP for St. Catharines
A News Release from the Constituency Office of St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens
Posted March 4th, 2024 on Niagara At Large
St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens
QUEEN’S PARK – One year after tabling a motion for universal contraption coverage, MPP Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines) called on Ford to join the Ontario NDP and finally provide this critical health care for people across Ontario.
“Last year, I was proud to lead Ontario by tabling a motion to expand access to prescription contraception,” said Stevens. “I have been overwhelmed by the support that this motion has received. Hundreds of women across Ontario have reached out to my office to tell me the positive impact this would have in their lives, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.”
On International Women’s Day 2023, Stevens tabled a motion (https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/ndp-tables-motion-make-contraceptives-available-under-ohip) that would expand OHIP to cover prescription contraception and remove cost barriers limiting people’s ability to choose their reproductive health and family planning. Despite initial signals of support, the Conservatives voted it down.
“As we near another International Women’s Day, making contraception coverage is a priority,” said Stevens. “The federal funding commitment would eliminate the cost for a health product that disproportionately impacts women across the province. We have a chance here to finally get to work and make this happen, and I urge the Conservatives to join us.”
MPP Stevens question to the Premier at Queen’s Park can be viewed here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uRLkctudjtdf0uZ3yN2uy3jdFZG-HQL1/view)
QUICK FACTS:
* In 2023, British Columbia (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/free-contraception-bc-explained-1.6764286) & Manitoba (https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/manitoba-pledges-to-remove-costs-of-birth-control-1.6657491) NDP governments both commit to universal prescription contraception coverage
* In Nov 2023, the Ontario Conservatives voted down MPP Stevens motion (https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/mpp-stevens-brings-voices-hundreds-queen-s-park-advocating-universal-contraception) to expand Contraception access
* In Feb 2024, the Federal NDPunveiled the details (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ottawa-unveils-pharmacare-program-1.7129439) of a hard-fought plan to bring universal pharmacare to Canada, which would include universal contraception coverage for all
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