April 17, 2025 | Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
OTTAWA, ON: The federal election is just over a week away, yet there has
been a surprising and noteworthy silence on health care.
The silence has been deafening.
We understand that Canadians are preoccupied with how U.S. actions are
affecting the economy and people’s livelihoods. But absent from the
singular focus on these issues to date through this campaign has been
any discussion about how, when people lose their jobs, they also lose
their health insurance. And for an increasing number of Canadians, their
workplace is their only lifeline to health care – whether it’s access to
virtual care when there’s no family doctor, mental health services not
covered by or available in the public system and affordable prescription
medications.
For women in Canada, health care access has never been worse. Women in
Canada face some of the
longest wait times in the developed world
for gynaecological and obstetric surgery. Rural maternity wards are
closing
.
More than 3,000 families a year
in Canada deal with the tragedy of stillbirth, but they are
left with little help or resources
. Women are leaving the workforce due to
undiagnosed endometriosis
and
unmanaged menopause symptoms
. But thanks to a systemic lack of attention to women’s pain and women’s
unique health needs, none of these issues have broken through the noise
of this campaign.
And then there’s women’s sexual and reproductive rights. Again, unless
prompted by a journalist’s question, federal leaders have been largely
silent. We have been witnessing an unprecedented backsliding of women’s
reproductive rights in countries around the world, including in the
neighbouring United States. Now, more than ever, Canadian women need to
hear those running for public office declaring loudly and unequivocally
they will protect and defend the fundamental human rights of women,
including their right to choose what happens to their bodies. They must
commit without hesitation or caveat to ensure no steps are taken by
their parties or their caucuses to curb these rights. And they must
commit to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care. Too many
women in Canada still face unacceptable barriers to abortion,
contraception and fertility care.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is
calling on all federal parties to clearly outline how they will
prioritize women’s health. This includes committing to implementing
pharmacare deals with all provinces and territories to ensure all
Canadian women have universal, free access to contraception. Parties
must also commit to making menopause hormone therapy free across Canada
when needed and to reducing surgical wait times for gynaecological and
obstetric care. Investments are also needed in maternal health,
particularly in underserved communities, and in improved collection of
women’s health data. Canada does not have a reliable national picture of
key women’s health outcomes, such as maternal mortality, stillbirths or
chronic gynaecological conditions. We can’t improve what we don’t
measure, and better data would allow for earlier interventions and smart
investments in evidence-based care options.
There are strong economic arguments for taking these steps. Closing gaps
in women’s health
could boost global GDP by $1 trillion annually
. In B.C.,
cost modelling
has demonstrated that making birth control free will save the province
$5 per person annually by 2027. Numerous studies have shown that delays
in women’s care drive up long-term economic costs and reduce labour
force participation.
Inaction on women’s health is therefore not just harmful - it’s
economically shortsighted.
So, to the political leaders hoping to govern this country: stop
ignoring health care. Start treating it like the foundational issue it
is for our economy and for our country.
And to voters: don’t let doorstep conversations go by without raising
your voice. Ask candidates: “What are you doing to protect and improve
women’s health? Will you defend sexual and reproductive rights?” Make it
clear that health care and women’s rights are voting issues, and those
who ignore this do so at their political peril.
The silence must end. It's time to put health — and women’s health —
back into the conversation in this election.
- Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, President
- Dr. Diane Francoeur, Chief Executive Officer
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
-30-
Media Inquiries:
Teresa Wright
Communications and Public Affairs Specialist
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
[email protected]
613-730-4192 ext: 236