Back in January 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Canada’s Criminal Code provisions related to abortion violated women’s Charter guarantee of security of the person, and were therefore unconstitutional. That decision signified the decriminalization of abortion in Canada.

Martha Paynter says the decision was “exceptional and important,” and one that Canadians don’t recognize enough.

“35 years ago, we became the only country in the entire world to have completely decriminalized care,” says Paynter. “And we remain the only country in the entire world with completely decriminalized care.”

Paynter is a UNB nursing professor and the spokesperson for the newly founded New Brunswick Abortion Care Network, a group of 20 advocates working in the fields of nursing, obstetrics, family practice, pharmacy and health administration.

“As healthcare providers, we lean on Dr. Henry Morgantaler’s legacy,” says Paynter. “We want to carry on in his footsteps, always expanding access to care.”

CHMA spoke with Martha Paynter to find out more about the New Brunswick Abortion Care Network.

Paynter says despite Canada’s singular place in the global landscape, there are still challenges to abortion access, and one of the biggest is misinformation and lack of information.

“We need to be more forthright and familiar with these very basic and essential parts of our reproductive health repertoire,” says Paynter. “We’ve just had so many years of treating abortion like it was some secret special service… And it is normal, it is common, it is safe.”

There are two types of abortion that are available and publicly funded in the country: surgical abortion and medication abortion.

“Aspiration or surgical abortion is a very simple procedure,” says Paynter. “It takes about seven minutes.” Medication abortion involves taking five different pills and is, “an intense experience, similar to a miscarriage,” says Paynter. “Heavy cramping, heavy bleeding can last a couple of days, so it’s not an instant fix.”

“Medication abortion itself is still quite new,” says Paynter, “and some people don’t know it exists or how it works.”

In New Brunswick, surgical abortion is available in three hospitals, two in Moncton and one in Bathurst. Clinic 554 in Fredericton also offers the procedure but through a private pay model with funding help available depending on need through the clinic. (The provincial government has refused to cover the procedure at Clinic 554, even though it has meant the federal government has withheld health transfers in amounts equal to the cost of the procedures offered there).

Medication abortion is more widely available.

“There are medication abortion prescribers all across the province,” says Paynter, “including nurse practitioners and family doctors.”

For those with or without a primary care provider, Paynter says its important to note that referrals are not required for abortion care.

“People don’t [need to] waste time trying to get into a walk-in clinic or their family doctor to get a referral,” says Paynter. You don’t need a referral, just call… Those clinics and hospital based clinics will make sure that you’re directed to care immediately.” (Scroll down for a list of clinics provided by the New Brunswick Abortion Care Network.)

Another issue that Paynter says the new network will work on is equity of access. For example, the requirement for a medicare care is a barrier to care.

“There are a lot of people without papers and as care providers, we would never want to turn anyone away,” says Paynter. “So that is a policy issue that really is a serious priority for this province, and every province, to address.”

In addition to her work with the new network and her teaching and academic career, Paynter is also an author. This Thursday night, she will be reading from her book, Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada, as part of an event to mark the 35th anniversary of the Morgentaler decision. The event is being held at Venus Envy in Halifax but is also available online. To register, check out the event website here.

New Brunswick Abortion Care Network access information:

If you are a patient seeking abortion in New Brunswick, call:
Zone 1 – Moncton Area (surgical and medication abortion)
• The Moncton Hospital. Self-referral, call (844) 806-9205
• Dr Georges L Dumont University Hospital. Self-referral, call (506) 869-2770
Zone 2 – Saint John Area (medication abortion)
• Sexual Health Centre. Self-referral, call (506) 658-3998
Zone 3 – Fredericton Area (medication abortion)
• Sexual Health Clinic. Self-referral, call (506) 453-5379
Zone 6 – Bathurst Area (surgical and medication abortion)
• Chaleur Regional Hospital. Self-referral, call (506) 544-4150

Patients in Zone 4 (Edmundston Area), Zone 5 (Campbellton Area) and Zone 7 (Miramichi Area) can contact any of the above numbers for support.

Here's Martha Paynter on CHMA's Tantramar Report: