Prescription Birth Control Is Going To Be Free In BC & Here's Everything You Need To Know

B.C. is the first in Canada to do it!

Birth control pills.

Birth control pills.

Editor

B.C. just became the first jurisdiction in Canada to make prescription contraception free, and it's starting soon.

As of April 1, you'll be able to get your birth control for free in B.C., if it's prescription. The new program was announced with the release of the 2023 B.C. budget on February 28.

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy announced that the program will be coming next month, to provide people with prescription contraception options.

Conroy said that "prescription birth control is a necessary health care, not a luxury. It's a vital resource for equity and equality."

A new release from the government said that the 2023 budget "dedicates $119 million over three years to remove this cost and give people more choices about their own sexual and reproductive health."

Budget 2023 takes action on the issues that matter most

The new program will fully cover "prescription contraception options, including most oral hormone pills, contraceptive injections, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices, subdermal implants and Plan B (also known as the morning-after pill)."

The government said someone who spends $25 for hormonal birth control a month could save up to $10,000 in their life with this program.

How to get free birth control in B.C.?

If you have a prescription for a birth control that is covered under the new plan, you will get it for free as of April 1 in B.C.

What birth controls are free?

Most contraceptive injections, oral hormone pills, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices, subdermal implants and Plan B will be free in B.C. starting April 1. 

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

13 updates from the new federal budget that you might actually care about

From tax cuts to Eurovision dreams, here's what Mark Carney's federal budget means for you. 👇

Conservatives want to restrict asylum seekers' access to health care

Asylum seekers appealing a rejected claim would be covered only for emergency, life-saving care.

A meteor in Vancouver last night caused a giant fireball & sonic boom (VIDEO)

The sonic boom was strong enough to register on seismographs. ☄️

A dessert product sold at Costco has been recalled and you can get a full refund

Some ingredients could cause "potentially life-threatening" reactions.

I grew up in Vancouver — here's what other Canadians will never understand about us

If you get these, you're officially Vancouver-verified. ✅

Daughter of a Canadian woman killed in the Dominican bus crash still has no info on her dad

She first learned of the crash from her uncle, who was also on the bus.

BC's switch to permanent daylight saving time could cause chaos in some areas

From 10 a.m. sunrises to confusing time zone borders, here's why the move has some residents concerned.

Mark Carney says Canada's support for US strikes on Iran came 'with regret'

He also said the strikes appeared "inconsistent with international law."