Natasha Hines, chair of Wellness Within, listens to a question from a reporter during an interview outside Province House on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Hines was part of a group rallying outside Province House to pressure the provincial government to provide universal, no-cost contraception. Photo by Ryan TaplinArticle contentOn the eve of World Contraception Day, advocates rallied at the Nova Scotia Legislature calling for the Tim Houston government to implement free universal contraception coverage.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“As a nurse working in frontline healthcare services, I do see the impacts of how unaffordable contraception access is,” Natasha Hines, chair of Wellness Within, a non-profit volunteer-based organization advocating for reproductive justice and health equity, said on Thursday.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“When you’re discussing contraception, it becomes less of a conversation about what their preference is and more about what they’re able to afford. And we see patients experience unplanned pregnancy related to the fact that they couldn’t afford their birth control prescriptions.”Article contentThe rally, co-organized by Wellness Within and Access Now Nova Scotia, a coalition for free contraception, was held nearly a year after the federal Liberal government passed legislation that lays the groundwork for a national universal pharmacare program. The first phase (Bill C-64) would make contraceptive and diabetes medications free for those without the benefit of private insurance plans.Article contentSince health care falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, each province and territory must sign an agreement with Ottawa to tap into the program. Such deals have already been reached with British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon.Article contentArticle contentHines said “it’s a no brainer that this policy should be implemented” by the Nova Scotia government, whether it’s through the federal pharmacare deal or as a province-led policy.Article content“We’re just hoping with persistent advocacy, the government comes to an agreement,” Hines said. “It’s about reminding the government time and time again that Nova Scotians want this benefit. They deserve this benefit.Article content“The communication from government itself has been minimal but we’re not giving up. We know that this type of work takes time. B.C. advocated for six years before seeing the change come to their province. We’ll continue being persistent.”Article contentHines listed a wide variety of contraceptive or birth control options that should be covered including oral contraceptives, birth control ring, hormonal and copper IUDs, Depo-Provera, the contraceptive patch and emergency contraceptives, like the morning-after pill.
Its a no brainer: advocates rally for free birth control, NDP tables legislation
