The newly formed New Democratic Party (NDP) government of Manitoba  reassured the right to reproductive health care, including access to prescription birth control, last Tuesday. 

“Our government will protect and affirm Manitobans’ right to access abortion services, protect abortion providers and make prescription birth control free,” said Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba Anita Neville.

The NDP’s commitment includes oral contraceptives, the morning-after pill, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices and hormonal contraceptive injections. The commitment does not include condoms. However, students can get free condoms at the Rainbow Pride Centre . 

Different varieties of birth control can also be helpful for regulating menstrual cycles, lessening heavy bleeding or cramping during menstrual cycles, treating conditions like endometriosis or PCOS and can help with acne and migraines. 

As of now, British Columbia is the only other province or territory providing residents with free prescription birth control. 

A press release from the Women’s Health Clinic (WHC) said it was “thrilled” to hear the announcement, and that the plan “will make a difference in the lives of so many of [their] clients and so many Manitobans.”  

The WHC offers reproductive health services including abortion, sexually transmitted infection testing, pre- and post-natal care and birth control. 

WHC is just one of several clinics in Winnipeg that offers reproductive health care and services for Manitobans, the rest of which can be found in the Winnipeg health services directory.