Evidence of meeting #51 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was srhr.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you, Mr. Bergeron.
For the last two minutes, we will go to MP McPherson.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I just want to say one more time how delighted I am that this has come forward. This motion was tabled over a year ago. The fact that this committee has been relatively frequently filibustered by one member is indicative, I think, of the challenges that we face talking about reproductive rights for women.
My question is a bit of a follow-up on the questions of my colleague Mr. Chong. With regard to SDG 5 and the nature of the universality of the SDGs, I also have concerns. There is a good legal framework in Canada, yet we consistently see lack of access to reproductive health care in this country for indigenous women, for remote and rural communities, for entire provinces in fact.
As we look at the VNR, is there work to be done in Canada in terms of access to reproductive health, including abortion?
12:55 p.m.
Director, Policy, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
Yes, of course. In Canada in particular, as I also noted with respect to other countries, what we continue to see is that people who lack access to these services are in rural and remote areas. They are of lower economic status. They have fewer resources and means to navigate the health care system.
One thing that I will say is that in Canada, in the past five years, we have seen a significant increase in abortion access due to the introduction of medication abortion. This is something that was federally approved in Canada in 2017. That transformed our country from having hundreds of abortion care providers to having thousands of them, because you then had primary physicians and nurse practitioners who could dispense this medication that could be used.
We're slow. There are many other countries around the world where the uptake of medication abortion was significantly higher and faster. It actually remains a crucial component of ensuring service access in other countries globally.
I think there's definitely more that can be done. Right now, Canada has something called the Canada sexual and reproductive health fund, through Health Canada. It is providing financing to civil society organizations in Canada that are providing services and doing advocacy to improve access in Canada. I hope to see that fund continue or be made permanent to address some of these things.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
That concludes our questions.
Allow me to thank you, Ms. Bowden, for your expertise and your knowledge. I also thank Action Canada for all that they do to tend to the significant challenges we deal with here in Canada. Thank you.
Members, before we adjourn, as you are aware, a budget was circulated regarding the briefing on the humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria. This was sent to everyone yesterday. Can we unanimously—
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
No, we're not. The idea was defeated.
Is there unanimous consent for the adoption of the budget for the study on Turkey and Syria?
12:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Yes, it's a brief one.
My colleague MP Philip Lawrence indicated that he was asked to appear today on his private member's bill, Bill C-281, and was disappointed that he couldn't do that today. I wanted to convey that to you, Mr. Chair, and that he would like the committee to review his bill at some point, so it can be reported back to the House earlier, rather than later.
I'm conveying that information to you. Thank you.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
