The spokesperson for Québec solidaire, Manon Massé, is asking the Legault government to follow in the footsteps of British Columbia, which has just made prescription contraception free.
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“The leadership of British Columbia must inspire the Legault government to take strong action. In a context of rapidly rising cost of living, we must eliminate 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 declining, particularly in the United States, but also elsewhere in the world, Quebec must lead by example. “The Legault government spoke to us about its vision of feminism last week, here is a concrete opportunity to show the rest of North America that in our Quebec vision of feminism, access to contraception, like access to Abortion is a guaranteed right in Quebec,” adds Ms. Massé.
Québec solidaire also proposes to make menstrual hygiene products, such as tampons and sanitary napkins, freely available in public institutions such as schools, inspired by a Scottish program.
A zero-cost investment for Quebec
During the election campaign, Québec solidaire estimated the cost of public coverage of contraception at $48 million per year. According to a study by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, such an investment would lead to annual savings of $71 million by reducing the cost of care related to unwanted pregnancies.