9 d. ago Canada’s landmark pharmacare law stalls: ‘What happened to free birth control?’

Nearly a year after a historic law promised free contraception, most provinces still haven’t signed onIt was touted as a historic move that would change lives: in October 2024, Canada passed new legislation making all birth control free.Justin Trudeau, then prime minister, called the bill’s passing “real progress”. The leftwing New Democratic party took credit, saying they had convinced Trudeau’s governing Liberals to move ahead with it. The bill didn’t just cover birth control: it made diabetes medication free, too, and ushered in a legal framework to possibly cover all prescription medication in the future: a national pharmacare plan. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Trudeau made headlines with free birth control. Why didn’t Canada follow through?

Nearly a year after a historic law promised free contraception, most provinces still haven’t signed onIt was touted as a historic move that would change lives: in October 2024, Canada passed new legislation making all birth control free.Justin Trudeau, then prime minister, called the bill’s passing “real progress”. The leftwing New Democratic party took credit, saying they had convinced Trudeau’s governing Liberals to move ahead with it. The bill didn’t just cover birth control: it made diabetes medication free, too, and ushered in a legal framework to possibly cover all prescription medication in the future: a national pharmacare plan. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Arab and Muslim leaders to meet Trump to discuss peace plan for Gaza

Talks on UN-led stabilisation force follow recognition of Palestine by France, Canada and the UKMiddle East crisis – live updatesArab and Muslim leaders are to meet Donald Trump in New York to discuss their plan for a UN-mandated international stabilisation force in Gaza after France joined the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising Palestine as a state.Israel has warned that it might respond to the recognition of Palestine by annexing the West Bank, citing claims from Hamas that recognition by allies of Israel was a victory for the terror group. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Women's rights activists rally in Belgium fearing US plans for birth control supplies

Dozens of women’s rights activists have rallied near the U.S. Embassy in Brussels to protest what plans by President Donald Trump's administration to destroy millions of dollars in family planning supplies meant for women living in hardship in Africa

Politics

2 w. ago Birth control: why are influencers turning away from the pill and towards natural contraceptive methods? | Antiviral

Claims on social media feeds are that synthetic hormones cause infertility and affect romantic choices. Experts say unintended pregnancies have reached ‘concerning levels’Read more in the Antiviral seriesIn the 1960s it was considered a watershed moment of liberation for women. Now, a new generation is being inundated with messages online that birth control is “evil” and “poison”. Across social media feeds, influencers are venting about hormonal contraception. Some are spreading false claims that taking synthetic hormones causes infertility, or can even be responsible for bad romantic decisions because you are “attracted to different men than you would be if you were off the pill”. Others emphasise known side-effects, such as weight gain and depression.Meanwhile, millions of TikToks promote the effectiveness of natural contraceptive methods, with self-described “hormone experts” claiming it is “not that hard to prevent pregnancy naturally” with fertility awareness methods “just as e...

Events

2 w. ago 'I moved from the UK to Canada with just £4,000 and a suitcase'

Stockport-born Jennifer Winters moved to Canada last year to follow her dream of being a long haul truck driver

Economics

4 w. ago Trump’s aid cuts leave countries across Africa running out of crucial contraception

Exclusive: At least three countries are already out of some contraceptive methods – with more set to follow suit – leaving women vulnerable to high risk pregnancies and unsafe abortions, writes Rachel Schraer

Politics