Free access to birth control would reduce reproductive coercion

SUSAN LEBLANC « » : The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia recently released a research brief, Reproductive Coercion and Intimate Partner Violence, and I'll table it. This is a form of gender-based violence that involves controlling another person's reproductive rights. The document recommends implementing access to universal, no-cost coverage of prescription contraception. Knowing that having free access to birth control can reduce reproductive coercion in this province, why does this government refuse to provide free birth control to its citizens?

HON. MICHELLE THOMPSON « » : We currently have programs that are available to people who are seeking birth control. We have our Family Pharmacare Program, people who also have private insurance. There are also some individuals who require additional support and through the Department of Opportunities and Social Development there are opportunities for people to access birth control. We know it's an important issue. We'll continue to work throughout government to best understand how to serve Nova Scotians.

SUSAN LEBLANC « » : All of those things are true but there are lots of people who are still falling through the cracks. That is why there is a massive call across the province and across the country for barrier-free, complete access to free birth control, so that the people who don't have those opportunities are able to access birth control. There's federal funding on the table right now to provide free birth control for all Nova Scotians. This is an important and simple step for us to take to help reduce the impacts of reproductive coercion in this country. We have yet to hear a good reason as to why the government has not taken this step. I'll ask again: Why won't this government work with the feds to provide Nova Scotians with free birth control to help address the epidemic of gender-based violence?

MICHELLE THOMPSON « » : We really are currently in negotiations with the federal government. The two departments are speaking about how best to serve Nova Scotians, what the negotiations may look like. It's not a straightforward negotiation. We have to make sure that it is a program that is sustainable when the money sunsets. It's great to get the money upfront, but eventually that money will go away. We need to make sure that we make the appropriate choices. We need to make sure that it's financially sustainable moving forward when the money sunsets. We continue to be in active negotiations. I'm very hopeful that we'll have more information soon.

Address the root causes of gender-based violence

SUSAN LEBLANC: New Leaf is a program that addresses the root causes of gender-based violence. It provides group counselling and support for abusive men who want to stop hurting their loved ones. When we talk about gender-based violence prevention, these are the programs we need, but New Leaf is struggling to keep up with demand, and they need more funding to provide this vital service - and I can table an article about that. When will this government commit to providing stable core funding for groups like New Leaf to prevent gender-based violence?

HON. SCOTT ARMSTRONG: We know that any incident of intimate partner violence is one too many, and across government we are investing and making great strides in supporting groups across this province to intervene before incidents happen. New Leaf is a great example of that. Our department supports New Leaf. Over several years, our funding has been increased. They have a proposal in. We're reviewing that proposal, and there will be more to say on this later.

SUSAN LEBLANC: I am glad to hear that a proposal is under way, but what is needed is what was recommended by the Mass Casualty Commission - stable core funding for organizations that address and prevent gender-based violence. This type of funding would mean that groups like New Leaf don't have to keep putting proposals in. They don't have to keep wondering if they will be able to continue next year or the year after. Supporting groups like New Leaf - which focus on interventions for men - will help address the root causes of gender-based violence. My question is: Why won't this government commit to a funding model that will ensure important programs like New Leaf can continue year after year after year?

THE SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Justice.

HON. BECKY DRUHAN: My colleagues and I are eagerly wanting to answer this question because we are working cross-department. I do want to say that we recognize the need for core funding, and we have, in fact, started increasing core funding. That took place last year with respect to the transition houses - the largest increase in core funding in decades - and that was a significant investment. We're continuing to assess that. I wanted to draw the member's attention to the work that we are doing around supporting men, because this is an incredibly important issue, and we heard from Tod Augusta Scott - who is a leader in this field - in an article from the Halifax Examiner, and he said: ". . . while more money is always welcome for programs, including those for men, Nova Scotia is a leader nationally on this issue."

Why didn’t the Premier attend anti-gender based violence rally?

On February 21 ,2025 in the Nova Scotia Legislature I asked the government why the Premier, or any member of his 43 person Caucus, didn’t attend the rally to end gender-based violence, despite being invited.

Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic

Koren Beaman (UNIFOR), MLA Susan Leblanc, Jennifer Murray (UNIFOR), and MLA Claudia Chender after the passage of the NDP bill to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic.

Being present to pass a bill declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic in Nova Scotia was one of the proudest moments I have experienced as an MLA. IPV is everywhere: in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, friend groups and families. People often suffer in shame, in silence and in fear. This bill declares this, affirms survivors, and will be a step in providing the essential supports necessary so survivors can thrive and the violence can end. I was especially moved by the work Koren Beaman has done to support people experiencing intimate partner violence and in getting this bill to the floor of the legislature and passed in one day. Koren is a courageous force.

For more information about the bill and how it came to pass, read this article.

Recognizing Koren Beaman

The Nova Scotia Government would not have recognized Intimate Partner Violence as an epidemic without resident Koren Beaman and her Unifor Canada colleagues. This is what I said about Koren in the Nova Scotia Legislature:

I rise today to recognize a truly inspiring member of the Dartmouth North community: Koren Beaman. Over several years, I have watched Koren lead in the essential work of advocating for and winning paid leave for people facing intimate partner violence and have been constantly impressed by her steadfast commitment to supports for women. As a Unifor women’s advocate, she connects women in her workplace with community resources and mental health support and provides an open door for anyone facing harassment or violence at work or at home. As such, she is known to her colleagues at the Irving Shipyard as the shipyard mom because of how she takes care of everyone there. I’m very grateful for the work Koren does for women facing intimate partner violence. I ask the House to join me in thanking her for her dedication and tenacity.