When Access Depends on Income
For women across Nova Scotia, access to contraception is not only a matter of personal choice but also of health, autonomy, and affordability. Prescription birth control plays a central role in women’s preventive health care, yet cost continues to shape who can access it consistently.
On October 10, 2024, Canada’s Pharmacare Act came into effect, allocating $1.5 billion over five years to support provinces and territories in providing diabetes medications and contraception. This includes oral contraceptives, copper and hormonal IUDs, rings, implants, and injections, which are intended to be available at little to no cost at the pharmacy counter.
In 2025, British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon signed bilateral agreements to implement this coverage. However, according to CBC News, Nova Scotia has not signed on and is waiting to resume negotiations with the federal government. In the meantime, women across the province continue to pay out of pocket for prescription contraception or rely on limited private coverage.
While Nova Scotia has taken steps to improve clinical access by allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception, with assessments covered for women holding a valid Nova Scotia health card, this policy does not address the ongoing cost of contraceptives themselves.
The Role of Contraception in Women’s Health
According to the World Health Organization, evidence shows that contraception offers several health benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. Findings from multiple systematic reviews indicate that hormonal contraceptives are associated with reduced menstrual pain, fewer symptoms of endometriosis, and lower rates of abnormal uterine bleeding. These benefits can contribute to an improved quality of life, with fewer disruptions to work, education, and daily activities.
Studies also suggest that oral contraceptive use is linked to a lower risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as reduced rates of high-risk pregnancies and maternal morbidity.
Despite these benefits, cost remains a significant barrier. Annual spending can range from approximately $300 to $500, depending on the method used, creating a financial burden many women may struggle to manage. Evidence from Ontario shows that when prescription contraception was publicly funded, usage increased, particularly in lower-income communities. This suggests that affordability plays a major role in whether women can access and consistently use contraception.
Community Organizations Supporting Women Where Policy Falls Short
As the province continues negotiations on contraceptive coverage, organizations such as Sexual Health Nova Scotia and the South Shore Sexual Health Society continue to provide support, information, and access to care.
Sexual Health Nova Scotia Society
Sexual Health Nova Scotia is a provincial network of community-based sexual health centres focused on women’s sexual and reproductive health across the life course. Through education, navigation, and advocacy, its member organizations help women understand contraceptive options, access prescriptions, and obtain free or low-cost safer-sex supplies.
The organization also offers accessible resources related to sexual health, mental health, STIs, and community support, helping individuals connect with information and services they may not otherwise be able to access. It advocates for equitable access to contraception, noting that cost barriers disproportionately affect women who are young, low-income, racialized, or uninsured.
South Shore Sexual Health Society
Based in Bridgewater, the South Shore Sexual Health Society addresses access challenges faced by women in smaller and rural communities by providing free, confidential, and non-judgmental education and support. Its services include pregnancy testing, options counselling, referrals to local health and social services, and assistance accessing contraception.
In emergency situations, the organization facilitates free access to emergency contraception at a pharmacy of the individual’s choice by covering the cost of a generic option. It also distributes free menstrual products, condoms, and other safer-sex supplies, helping reduce everyday financial burdens, particularly in communities where distance, privacy concerns, and limited providers can delay care.
Next Steps for 2026
As Nova Scotia enters 2026, access to affordable contraception remains an unresolved women’s health issue. Federal funding is available, and evidence supports universal contraceptive coverage, yet many women continue to face cost-related barriers that affect consistency and choice.
Public coverage would help reduce these barriers and support more reliable access to contraception across the province. Greater affordability would allow women to make health decisions based on need rather than cost, while supporting care across different life stages. Over time, improved access could contribute to better reproductive health outcomes and reduce the financial and health burdens that currently fall unevenly on women.
About the Writer: Nayani Abeysekera is a third-year Life Sciences student at the University of Toronto, double majoring in Psychology and Human Biology. Ever since she learned to write, storytelling has been her favourite way to make sense of the world. Passionate about women’s health, mental health, and community well-being, Nayani combines research and empathy to share stories that comfort, challenge, and connect.
