Abortion in Niagara: Frequently Asked Questions
More info about accessing abortion in Niagara:
1. How do I access abortion in Niagara?
Please see How to Access Abortion.
2. What are the options for abortion?
For a list of nearby abortion clinics, please click here. Many people have to travel to Hamilton to get an abortion because there are only two options in Niagara and they are limited. If you need help with transportation, please email us at support@niagarareproductiejustice.com. We will get back to you within 24 hours.
There are two types of abortion: medication abortion and procedural abortion. Medication abortion (also referred to as medical abortion, mifegymiso, mifepristone and misoprostol, the abortion pill) involves taking a series of medications. Procedural abortion (also referred to as surgical abortion) involves a small procedure lasting 5-30 minutes. You can get a medication abortion up to 9 weeks pregnant (sometimes up to 10 or 11 weeks depending on the circumstance and clinic). In Canada, you can get a procedural abortion up to 24 weeks pregnant. How many weeks pregnant you are is determined by the first date of your last menstrual period.
If you have questions about the abortion process and which option is right for you, you can call the Niagara Region Sexual Health Centre at 905-688-3817. They are open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, closed for lunch 12pm-1pm. You can also call Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights at 1-888-642-2725.
3. Are both types of abortion covered under OHIP? What about other health plans like UHIP and GuardMe?
Both medication and procedural abortion are covered by OHIP. Even though medication abortion involves a prescription, the prescription is still covered by OHIP. Sometimes, pharmacies don’t know that the medication is fully covered by OHIP and you may need to tell them it is. Sometimes, a clinic will charge a fee, usually $50-$100, that is not covered by OHIP.
Abortion is also covered by GuardMe, UHIP, Interim Federal Health Insurance, Armed Forces/Department of Defence health insurance, and may be covered by other private insurance companies and out-of-province insurance. However, you may have to pay the fees yourself and then request that your insurance company pays you back. For more information, see our chart here. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always call the clinic or doctor directly.
4. How can I access abortion in Niagara if I don’t have health insurance?
There are organizations that will help you cover all of the fees of your abortion if you don’t have health insurance that will cover it. Niagara Reproductive Justice can help you navigate this. You can email us at support@niagarareproductivejustice.com and we will get back to you within 24 hours. For more information, visit our webpage here.
You can also call Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights at 1-888-642-2725 or you can text them at 613-800-6757. You may need to leave a voicemail.
If you speak Spanish, you can call the National Abortion Federation of Canada at 1-800-772-9100. Let them know that you live in Canada and speak Spanish. You may need to leave a voicemail.
5. What are fake abortion clinics and how do I identify them?
There are some places throughout Niagara and Canada that pretend to offer abortion support to people who are pregnant, but are actually anti-abortion Christian agencies that purposefully mislead clients and provide false information in an effort to prevent a person from accessing abortion. These are called Crisis Pregnancy Centres and they should be avoided. Please see our webpage about which organizations in Niagara to avoid.
6. How can I get financial or emotional support for abortion?
There are organizations that will help you cover all of the fees of your abortion if you don’t have health insurance that will cover it or can’t afford some of the costs associated with the abortion, such as travel expenses, childcare expenses, food, and overnight accommodations. Niagara Reproductive Justice can help you navigate this. You can email us at support@niagarareproductivejustice.com and we will get back to you within 24 hours. For more information, visit our webpage here.
You can also call Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights at 1-888-642-2725 or you can text them at 613-800-6757. You may need to leave a voicemail.
If you speak Spanish, you can call the National Abortion Federation of Canada at 1-800-772-9100. Let them know that you live in Canada and speak Spanish. You may need to leave a voicemail.
For additional support, such as transportation, connection with an abortion doula, and logistical support, please email us at support@niagarareproductivejustice.com and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
For post-abortion emotional support, see our resources here. For additional online resources, visit here.
7. Are there resources for people who speak a language other than English? Will the clinic allow me to bring a translator?
You can see information about languages available at each clinic by going to our Abortion Clinics webpage. However, this information is subject to change and we always encourage you to ask the clinic directly.
Each clinic will have its own languages available and policies about translators. You should ask the specific clinic for information. Some clinics use an online or telephone interpretation service specific for healthcare purposes and may not allow you to bring your own translator. Others may encourage you to bring a close friend or family member who can translate.
8. What if somebody needs an abortion past 24 weeks?
Canada does not have options for abortion care past 24 weeks. However, it is still possible to receive funding and care outside of Canada. Please see How to Access Abortion Past 24 Weeks.
9. How can I help my client or friend access abortion?
You can help by providing information about who to call to talk about their options and receive a referral to an abortion clinic, and how to get financial support if needed. For options counselling and referrals, call the Niagara Region Sexual Health Centre at 905-688-3817. They are open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, closed for lunch 12pm-1pm. They can also call Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights at 1-888-642-2725. Action Canada can also provide financial support.
While you can help your client or friend access these resources, they must make the call themselves. Clinics will only talk to the person accessing care. If your client or friend doesn’t speak English and needs a translator, you or someone else can act as translator, just let the clinic know.
If you or your client/friend have questions about how to get an abortion, what it will cost, how to get to the clinic, overnight accommodations, childcare expenses, emotional support, or anything else surrounding the abortion, you can email us at support@niagarareproductivejustice.com and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
10. What can I do to help people access abortion in Niagara?
Learn how to access abortion in Niagara so that you can help others.
How to Access Abortion in Niagara
Join NRJ’s Abortion & Reproductive Support Network.
Spread the word.
Share our content on Instagram and Facebook.
11. Where can I find more resources around abortion in Niagara?
Check out our Niagara Resources database!
12. What if I’m not sure if I want an abortion?
It’s normal to feel unsure. To talk through the different options available to you, you can contact the Sexual Health Centre. If you would like to talk through the different options and how you feel about them, you can also call All-Options Talk Line at 1-888-493-0092. Their hours are Monday – Friday 10-1am, Saturday – Sunday 10-6pm. All-Options is a toll free, peer-based talkline that provides counseling and support for pregnancy and pregnancy decision-making, parenting, abortion, adoption, infertility or pregnancy loss. Accessible in Canada – may be asked to leave a message if someone isn’t available.
Note: You may come across some organizations in Niagara that claim to offer pregnancy decision-making support but in reality are anti-abortion organizations that will not provide unbiased, non-judgmental information. These are called Crisis Pregnancy Centres. Please see our webpage about which organizations in Niagara to avoid.
For more information:
How to Access Abortion in Niagara
How to Access Abortion Past 24 Weeks
Get Abortion Support
List of Clinics to Avoid