A Commitment to Change: Canada’s New Economic Statement for Future SRHR Advocacy

The Fall Economic Statement (FES) 2024 unveiled transformative investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights celebrates the proposed $50 million allocation over six years to Health Canada’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund, making it permanent. This ensures ongoing support for marginalized communities and addresses systemic barriers to SRH care.

The SRH Fund, established in 2023, has connected vulnerable populations to essential services while revealing gaps in access. The new investment prevents a funding shortfall in 2027 and strengthens Canada’s healthcare infrastructure. Scaling up SRH funding also promises economic benefits, addressing issues like unintended pregnancies and STIs, which cost the economy over $6 billion annually.

Additionally, $7.5 million will support new iterations of Statistics Canada’s SRH surveys, generating critical data for policy improvement. Advocacy efforts have led to sustainable commitments, fostering equity in healthcare access for all Canadians.

Source: Action Canada