Advocacy

Save SUGAR Health!

Sexual Health Nova Scotia’s SUGAR Health provides a registry of vital sexual, gender, and reproductive health resources (SGRH) along with navigation services in Nova Scotia. Despite initial support at half a million dollars from the federal government, funding wasn’t extended, and in fact funding from this health stream was pulled across Atlantic Canada, impacting access to crucial services like STI testing and gender-affirming care in this entire region. We have pieced together small pieces of bridge funding for the past few years, but are facing the end of this money, meaning SUGAR Health is unfortunately again a risk of shutting down. Without ongoing funding SUGAR Health can’t continue to champion comprehensive SGRH services, improve overall well-being and healthcare access for Nova Scotians, and reduce the strain on community organizations and practitioners.

Read our Open Letter to Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health here.

CANADA’S HIV FUNDING IS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK. 

Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) is calling on the Government of Canada to finally commit to multi-year funding for community-based HIV organizations. We’re inviting people and organizations across Canada to sign our open letter and join us in urging the federal government to end the HIV epidemic, not HIV funding.

CANADA HAS ALL THE TOOLS IT NEEDS TO END THE HIV EPIDEMIC:

        * HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can be used to prevent HIV infection.
        * Diverse testing options, including rapid self-testing, which makes it easier to know your status.
        * Scientific consensus that when someone living with HIV achieves an undetectable viral load through treatment, they can’t pass on HIV to others (Undetectable = Untransmittable)

Despite these tools, Canada’s government has failed to turn the tide on HIV. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s most recent HIV estimates, there was a 22.8% increase of new HIV infections in Canada in 2024, and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men made up 42% of new HIV infections in 2022 despite making up less than 5% of the general population.

At a time when we should be investing more in Canada’s HIV response, news of a possible reduction to the two primary sources of federal community-based HIV funding, has raised serious alarm in our communities.

Supporting Trans Youth in Alberta

Trans, Two-Spirit, non-binary, and queer youth in Alberta are facing escalating threats to their safety, autonomy, and access to care. Recent political rhetoric and policy changes have created fear and uncertainty for young people who already experience disproportionate levels of stigma, discrimination, and mental health challenges. Local organizations are beginning to prepare for the next election working to elect those who will advance protections for trans youth in the province.

Queer Momentum has been advocating strongly for the rights of trans youth in Alberta. Their work focuses on protecting access to gender-affirming care, challenging harmful legislation, and ensuring that trans young people remain safe and supported in their schools and communities. This includes amplifying youth voices, mobilizing community partners, and pushing for evidence-based, affirming health-care policy.

TransAction Alberta is a broad coalition of organizations, businesses, and community members working to protect access to gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse Albertans. As the province jeopardizes the safety and autonomy of trans youth, TransAction Alberta mobilizes evidence-based advocacy and community solidarity in response. Their work centres the voices of youth, families, healthcare professionals, and community groups who know that gender-affirming care is essential, life-saving, and grounded in medical best practice.

Trans youth deserve dignity, respect, and access to the care they need to thrive. We stand alongside organizations like TransAction Alberta in defending the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of gender-diverse youth across the province, and Queer Momentum in calling for policies grounded in human rights, not fear – and for communities where all young people can live openly and authentically.

Access Now Nova Scotia: Making Contraceptions Free For Nova Scotians

The goal of the campaign is no cost prescription contraception for Nova Scotians.

Access to contraception is recognized as a basic human right but unfortunately, many Nova Scotians can’t access this right due to financial barriers; this becomes an equity issue as the cost of birth control falls disproportionately on women and people with uteruses.

Programs that offer free birth control have been shown to be revenue positive; the cost of providing free birth control is considerably lower than the costs associated with unintended pregnancy; for every $1 spent on contraceptive support, there can be as much as $90 in public expenditures on social supports; the BC Government predicts to save as much as $95 million annually.

Our current patchwork system of birth control coverage is not comprehensive and not sustainable; current pharmacare deductibles are cost prohibitive; many Nova Scotians have inadequate or no coverage.

Best medical practice indicates that providing contraceptive choice without barriers is fundamental to the overall health and wellbeing of patients; unintended pregnancies can have significant negative impacts on the physical, emotional, and socioeconomic lives of patients, their families, and their communities.

nova scotia needs midwives

The “Nova Scotia Needs Midwives” campaign aims to address the growing demand and need for midwifery care in the province. The campaign advocates for increased access to midwifery services, emphasizing the positive impact on health outcomes, cost savings, and resultant improvements in health system efficiency. Investment in midwifery aligns with government priorities to bring care closer to home and has the potential to significantly improve sexual and reproductive health care in the province.