As Canada teeters on the brink of a Conservative government under Pierre Poilievre, the alarm bells about abortion access and reproductive justice are deafening—especially for Indigenous communities. For a country that prides itself on universal healthcare and progressive values, this could be a jarring wake-up call. Let’s peel back the curtain and take a hard look at the history of conservative policies and what they spell out for the future of healthcare, autonomy, and justice.
A history of harm, neglect, and shrugged shoulders
Conservative governments in Canada have long treated Indigenous communities and healthcare like an afterthought—or worse, a problem to be minimized. Remember Stephen Harper? Under his leadership (from 2006 to 2015), Indigenous rights were shoved aside as inconvenient hurdles. Harper’s government notoriously underfunded essential services like housing, clean water, and healthcare, creating conditions that directly harmed Indigenous people.
Need an example? The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that Harper’s government actively discriminated against Indigenous children by chronically underfunding child welfare services on reserves. The consequences of such neglect trickle down into every aspect of life, including access to reproductive care.
Then there’s the shadow of colonialism. Forced sterilizations, coerced adoptions, and inadequate healthcare services were not just unfortunate mistakes—they were calculated strategies to erase Indigenous existence. Shockingly, coerced sterilizations have been documented as recently as 2021. What did past conservative governments do about these atrocities? A whole lot of nothing.
Pierre Poilievre’s “strategic silence” on abortion rights
While abortion may be legal across Canada, let’s not kid ourselves—access is uneven. The farther you are from an urban centre, the more hurdles you’ll face, and this is doubly true for Indigenous communities in rural and remote areas. Conservative leaders, including Poilievre, love to play the “we’re not reopening the abortion debate” card. But let’s look at the receipts. Conservative MPs have consistently tabled anti-choice private members’ bills. They’ve voted against reproductive rights and aligned with anti-abortion organizations that would make the 1950s blush.
Poilievre might promise not to touch abortion laws, but his silence speaks volumes. His track record, and that of his party, suggests a government that might not openly ban abortion but would happily defund reproductive healthcare, nix sexual health programs, and appoint officials who believe women and people who can get pregnant shouldn’t control their bodily autonomy.
Indigenous communities: Bearing the brunt
If you think it’s tough accessing healthcare as a city-dwelling Canadian, imagine living hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest clinic, with only systemic racism and government austerity to keep you company. Indigenous communities are often left high and dry when it comes to healthcare, and reproductive services are no exception. Austerity measures and privatization—hallmarks of conservative policy—only deepen these disparities. When the healthcare system crumbles, those at the margins fall first and hardest.
Cuts to public healthcare funding hit Indigenous communities like a freight train. Poilievre’s likely approach to governance, with its emphasis on “fiscal responsibility” (read: gutting public services), risks pushing these communities further into crisis. And let’s not forget how conservative governments routinely ignore calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission — so much for a “new era” of Indigenous relations.
Reproductive justice: More than just abortion
Reproductive justice is about the right to have children, not have children, and raise families in safe, healthy environments. For Indigenous communities, this means fighting for clean water, adequate housing, and equitable healthcare—basic human rights that conservatives often slash first in the name of “balanced budgets.”
Imagine a Poilievre government where social determinants of health are tossed aside like yesterday’s headlines. Sexual health education? On the chopping block. Funding for youth and rural healthcare? Gone. The federal Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Fund—was created to improve access to contraception, abortion, and other essential services for Indigenous and marginalized communities. Cancelled. Foreign aid for SRH, including safe abortion care? Redirected or cut entirely. Universal Pharmacare for contraception? Abandoned, along with efforts to secure provincial agreements. Cuts to the federal Health Transfer Fund would further strain provincial healthcare systems, leading to reduced abortion clinic funding in some regions and devastating consequences for 2S/LGBTQI+ and marginalized communities.
And here’s the kicker: The rise of far-right, anti-choice movements in Canada is no coincidence. A Poilievre administration would likely embolden these groups while gutting the very programs that make reproductive choice a reality—not just a theoretical right on paper. But let’s be clear—the Liberals have also failed to lead. Sexual health education is a provincial responsibility, yet provinces consistently underfund it. And despite years in power, the Liberals have failed to produce a national sex-ed strategy, leaving young people without the comprehensive, inclusive education they deserve.
Fighting back: Advocacy and action
If there’s a silver lining to this ominous forecast, it’s the resilience of communities and advocates who refuse to let Canada backslide. The fight for reproductive justice and Indigenous sovereignty will require all hands on deck. Here’s how we push forward:
- Expand Access to Care: Advocate for equitable, culturally appropriate reproductive healthcare that reaches even the most remote communities.
- Support Indigenous-Led Solutions: Champion Indigenous-led healthcare initiatives that prioritize sovereignty and self-determination.
- Call Out Racism: Confront the systemic racism baked into Canada’s healthcare systems through anti-racist training, policies, and accountability.
- Hold Leaders Accountable: Demand transparency and bold commitments from politicians to uphold reproductive rights—no more vague platitudes.
- Raise Awareness: Educate the public on the intersection of reproductive justice and Indigenous rights. Build coalitions that are ready to counter regressive policies at every turn.
Conclusion: We can’t afford to wait
A Poilievre-led Conservative government would be a disaster for reproductive justice in Canada, especially for Indigenous communities already bearing the weight of systemic inequities. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Protecting these rights demands vigilance, passion, and unrelenting advocacy. We owe it to future generations to fight for a Canada where everyone—regardless of race, income, or geography—can access the care and dignity they deserve.
Viewpoint: Reproductive Justice is a blog by the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada
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