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A multi-institution, multi-disciplinary research project housed at the University of New Brunswick has received $366,000 in support from the Government of Canada.

The funds will be used for research to help identify the barriers and restrictions to access to surgical abortions in the province between 2015 - 2020, from the perspective of medical professionals and the lived experience of New Brunswick patients.

“Every day, our researchers and their colleagues from institutions across Canada work to understand the complex challenges we face as individuals and communities,” said Dr. David MaGee, vice-president (research) at UNB. “Through their work, they provide knowledge and insight that can be used to resolve these challenges. That work is made possible by funding from our partners, including the Government of Canada, whose support reflects both the importance of the research, and the calibre of the research team. Congratulations to all involved in this project.”

The project will be led by co-principal investigators, Dr. Jula Hughes, adjunct professor at UNB and dean of law at Lakehead University, and Dr. Tobin Haley, assistant professor at Ryerson University. The project team also includes researchers Dr. Karen Pearlston, professor of law at UNB, and Dr. Jessica Taylor, faculty member in the department of gender, race, sexuality, and social justice at the University of British Columbia, as well as community-based activist Julia Hansen (Reproductive Justice New Brunswick).

“Getting a clearer picture of the abortion services needs in the province of New Brunswick will allow governments, health authorities and healthcare providers to make better, more evidence-based decisions that are responsive to the constitutional and legislative mandates for accessible and equitable health care,” said Dr. Hughes. “Drs. Haley, Pearlston, Taylor and I are looking forward to working towards this important goal.”

The funding was announced on Aug. 3 at an event in Fredericton, alongside an announcement of $45 million in federal funding made available over three years to community-based organizations in order to help make sexual and reproductive healthcare information and services more accessible to under-served populations. These populations include, among others, women, youth, people who identify as LGBTQ2IA, racialized Canadians, Indigenous populations, and those living in rural or remote areas.

Media contact: Paisley Sibbald