Quebec schoolgirls to access abortifacient.

Quebec, QC--Levonorgestrel, better known as Plan B, emergency contraception, came to Canada in the spring of 2005. After trial runs in three provinces, the Federal Department of Health gave its blessing for the morning-after pill (MAP) to be made available without prescription in pharmacies nationwide (see C.I. May, 2005, pp.29-30).

The province of Quebec however is once more ahead of the pack. One week after the federal announcement, its provincial health agency permitted school nurses to prescribe it and other birth control pills to girls as young as 14, without consent of their parents. Quebec's birthrate is currently below the already low natural average. Nevertheless, Dr. Yves Lamontagne, president of the Quebec Order of Physicians, has seen fit to justify the move by quoting the need to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies!

Mary Ellen Douglas of Campaign Life Coalition pointed out that government attitudes show little respect for either the children or their parents. Like Dr. Will Johnson, president of Canadian Physicians for Life, she also notes that such drugs can cause uncontrolled vaginal bleeding, blood clots; and the pre-conditions for strokes and heart attacks. Propagators of the MAP naturally discount such health risks.

Pharmacies from B.C., where Plan B has been available since 2000, claim that its use does not lead to more promiscuity, as MAP users generally proceed to regular contraception! However, studies based on its use in Scotland indicate that, with its advent, both promiscuity and teenage pregnancies increased (New Freeman, May 6, 2005; Thornhill Liberal, June 23, 2005).