Rich Pedroncelli Associated Press The party estimates that this would cost Quebec $48,000 a year, but that the savings made with the lower costs related to unwanted pregnancies would more than compensate for this investment.
Québec solidaire (QS) reiterates its election proposal on Sunday to make prescription contraceptive products free.
The party is taking inspiration from British Columbia, which recently announced that birth control will be free for everyone starting April 1. The Western Province has provided funding of $119,000 over three years, or just under $40,000 per year.
QS, on the other hand, estimates that this would cost $48,000 per year. year in Quebec, but that the savings made with the reduction in costs related to unwanted pregnancies would amply compensate for this investment.
“It's a question of dignity,” insists spokesperson Manon Massé in a telephone interview, arguing that this would allow women to freely choose the method of contraception that suits them best. “Not all contraceptives are covered in whole or in part by the Régie de l'Assurance Maladie du Québec,” she recalls.
Right now, “it's is as if contraception were a consumer good like the rest,” she laments, while Quebec “is rich and feminist enough” to take that burden off women's shoulders.
The party also wants to distribute free menstrual products in public places like schools and libraries, as Scotland has been doing since 2020.
“Economically it's a drain on women's wallets” , according to Ms. Massé, who recalls that some have to make the choice to use toilet paper or even to miss their classes due to a lack of funds to purchase hygienic products.
The office of the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, responded in writing that the CAQ government “will continue to promote better access to contraceptive methods”.
“You should know that the RAMQ already offers coverage costs related to the contraceptive pill and the IUD, whether through RAMQ programs or tax credits, he points out. During our first mandate, we also made sure to facilitate free access to the abortion pill.
The abortion pill was first made free in 2017, under the Liberal government of Philippe Couillard. The College of Physicians then removed some of its restrictions in 2022, which previously required the woman to have an ultrasound and the doctor to undergo specialist training before they could prescribe the drug.
“Specifically regarding products menstrual products, the SCF (Secretariat for the Status of Women) is coordinating actions with the ministries concerned to ensure that access to menstrual products and contraceptives is increased,” Minister Dubé’s office wrote.
