Advancing access and advocacy: Action Canada’s role in enhancing access to abortion in Canada

Abortion has been decriminalized in Canada since 1988 and is recognized as a medically necessary healthcare service that should be fully covered under our universal healthcare. However, the reality is that abortion is challenging to access in Canada – many people are surprised to learn that accessing abortion care is not as simple as going to their primary care provider or a walk-in clinic. In many communities across Canada, abortion services are limited or non-existent for a variety of systemic and structural reasons such as institutional discrimination and inaccessibility.

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (Action Canada) is a national charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally. In 2021-22, Action Canada received funding from Health Canada to expand its services to help connect more people to accurate sexual health information and resources. One resource, the Access Line, is a toll-free text, phone, and email service that provides people across Canada with sexual and reproductive health information support and client advocacy. And through the resources of the Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund (NSEF), callers receive critical financial and logistical support to navigate barriers to accessing abortion.

The Access Line and NSEF fill a gap in Canada’s healthcare system by providing timely, client-centred support to help people access abortion. The service is especially critical to underserved communities and those who experience marginalization in healthcare. Effective partnerships with local healthcare providers are a vital part of the Access Line and NSEF model; working with local service providers helps ensure people know about and are referred to the Access Line for advocacy and emotional, logistical, and financial support. The Access Line has experienced huge growth in demand in the past few years, in part due to its work with partners and securing federal investment. In light of this growth, Action Canada identified a need to hear from its partners – who work with some of the most marginalized and underserved communities – about how well this model is serving their needs.

Our presentation aims to inspire discussion about how evaluation can elevate the voices of those on the ground working towards more just and equitable approaches to reproductive health. We will discuss how we amplified the voices of those working closest to people who face the most significant barriers to accessing abortion, and also describe how we balanced this with respecting the privacy of those accessing abortion services. We’ll share insights into how Action Canada and its partners are supporting clients with navigating Canada’s complex healthcare system. As the Access Line and NSEF services are still growing, our evaluation helped amplify the voice of a much-needed service.