A New Report on Contraception, Access, and Awareness

Discussions about contraception and reproductive health have long been taboo, misunderstood, or ignored. Yet, the choices and challenges people face in navigating contraception are fundamental to health, autonomy, and well-being.

The AWHF believes that contraception is not just about family planning—it’s about education, career trajectory, economic security, and gender equality. The voices in this report are clear: we must accelerate action to eliminate the barriers that prevent people from accessing the contraception they need.

What Do We Really Know About Contraception in Alberta?

With limited reliable data on contraceptive use in Canada, we took the initiative—with financial support from Organon Canada and the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI)—to explore Albertans’ experiences with contraception. We surveyed over 2,000 people, the majority (92%) identifying as women, to understand usage patterns, knowledge gaps, and barriers to access.

Some key findings from the report:

71% of respondents under 35 currently use contraception, compared to 54% of those aged 35-54 and 10% of those over 55.

Only 27% of respondents were familiar with contraceptive patches, implants, injectable contraception, or internal condoms.

27-50% of pregnancies in Canada are unintended, impacting physical health, mental health, finances, and career planning.

20% of non-sexually active respondents still use contraception for medical reasons, such as managing menstrual bleeding, iron levels, and hormonal fluctuations.

Why This Matters

Contraception is about more than pregnancy prevention—it’s about health, control, and opportunity. Access to contraception influences everything from gender equality to economic stability. When individuals can make informed choices about family planning, they gain the power to shape their futures in ways that benefit not just themselves but society as a whole.

Barriers to Contraceptive Access in Alberta

Our research highlights significant barriers preventing Albertans from accessing contraception:

16% report financial costs as a barrier.

14% lack access to a primary care provider.

8% cite lack of information or awareness.

7% report experiences of contraceptive failure.

What Needs to Change?

Despite contraception being a key aspect of healthcare, Alberta still struggles with accessibility, affordability, and education. With 24.6% of Albertans lacking a family physician, many have difficulty obtaining reliable contraceptive counseling. And while pharmacies now play a growing role in contraception access, more must be done to ensure people receive accurate, unbiased information.

Learn More & Read the Full Report

We invite you to explore our latest findings, expert insights, and recommendations for improving contraception access in Alberta.

Shining the Light