Stiles announces Ontario NDP plan to provide free contraception under OHIP

QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, announced the Ontario NDP’s plan to expand OHIP to cover prescription contraception and remove cost barriers that limit people's ability to choose their reproductive health and family planning.

“This is an exciting and long overdue initiative that I’m so proud our NDP team is putting forward,” said Stiles. “This is a truly non-partisan and common-sense way to ensure that everyone who needs it has full access to reproductive planning and choices.”

MPP Stevens tabled this motion for International Women’s Day in 2023, and the motion will be debated at Queen’s Park on November 29, 2023.

“British Columbia was first to implement this exciting initiative, and it’s helped thousands of people access prescription birth control without spending a dime,” said Stevens. “Just this week, Manitoba joined in with an announcement of their own. There are so many incredible advocates working to make sure Ontario joins this leading initiative, and the Ontario NDP are standing with them to make it happen.”

The first six months of British Columbia’s universal contraception program has led to thousands of people, mostly between the ages of 20-29, receiving free birth control through their health care plan.

On November 21, Manitoba announced it will also provide free contraception under their provincial health plan.

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Mohini Datta-Ray, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Toronto

Planned Parenthood Toronto is strongly in support of the expansion of OHIP to cover universal access to all prescription contraception. As a community health centre for youth ages 13-29, we see firsthand how the current system for contraception negatively impacts youth, their health and their futures.

MPP Jill Andrew (Toronto – St. Paul’s) Official Opposition critic for Women's Social and Economic Opportunity

"Ensuring that contraception is accessible and available is a vital part of lowering the barriers to access for people across the province. It’s important for us to empower ciswomen, transgender, and non-binary people to have agency over their reproductive health, and that starts with ensuring that choice is accessible to all."

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) Official Opposition critic for 2SLGBTQ+ Issues

“Making contraceptives accessible, including to members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, will advance health care equity. Not only does this give people choice and control over their body, it gives many access to necessary and essential health care.”

MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt), Official Opposition critic for Health

“Health care is a human right, and lowering the barriers to accessing prescription birth control is a critical component of health for many people. We have the chance to follow the successes of other provinces right now and bring forward this common-sense initiative. Together we can make it happen”.