Québec solidaire spokeswoman Manon Massé is urging the Legault government to follow in the footsteps of British Columbia, which just made prescription contraceptives free.
• Also read: Free contraception: “Women’s health still accounts for 50% of the population”
“British Columbia’s leadership must inspire the Legault government to take strong action. With the cost of living soaring, we need to remove financial barriers to access contraception. By covering all forms of contraception in the RAMQ basket, we reduce unwanted pregnancies and support women’s right to make their own health decisions,” 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 administration spoke to us last week about their vision of feminism, here is a tangible opportunity to show the rest of North America that in our vision of feminism in Quebec, access to contraception, like access to abortion, is a guaranteed… Law is in Quebec. ‘ adds Ms Massé.
Québec solidaire also proposes making menstrual hygiene products such as tampons and sanitary napkins freely available in public settings such as schools, inspired by a Scottish scheme.
Citizens interviewed by TVA Nouvelles gave their opinion.
“There isn’t really a working method of electricity for humans. It’s the woman who has to take over and so, in fairness, it should be free for her,” said one citizen.
“You shouldn’t have to pay for it. It’s important for women,” one father said.
During the election campaign, Québec solidaire estimated the cost of public reporting on contraception at $48 million a year. According to a study by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, such an investment would result in annual savings of $71 million by reducing the cost of care associated with unwanted pregnancies.