Canada Expands Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund With $90M
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/03/12
Health Canada is the federal department responsible for ensuring that Canadians have access to safe and effective health products, services, and regulations. Public Health Agency of Canada focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency preparedness at the national level. Health Canada’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund launched a $17.7 million Call for Proposals in May 2024, funding 23 projects from December 2024 to March 2027. Projects focus on training healthcare providers, supporting abortion access, and providing culturally relevant resources. Success is measured through performance indicators, including accessibility and effectiveness for underserved communities. The fund was expanded in 2024’s Fall Economic Statement, securing $90 million over six years. Initiatives address barriers for Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQI+ populations, ensuring culturally safe care. Future planning includes ongoing evaluation and stakeholder collaboration to improve access and health outcomes nationwide.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What specific timelines/ milestones are there for rolling out the funded projects?
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada: Health Canada’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund launched a third targeted Call for Proposals in May 2024 that committed up to $17.7 million to community-based organizations delivering innovative activities to underserved communities across Canada. Approved projects began in December 2024 and will end by March 31, 2027.
Jacobsen: What measurable indicators/ criteria will assess the success of these initiatives in the improvement of access to sexual and reproductive health services?
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada:All projects funded through the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund must demonstrate clear plans to publicly disseminate evidence-based information and resources. Funding recipients are required to measure and report on outcomes through performance indicators (e.g., the number of targeted health care providers who access information resources; percentage of individuals served who report application of knowledge to manage their sexual and reproductive health; percentage of surveyed participants from the target population who agree that the information and activities were culturally appropriate and in the official language of their choice).
Jacobsen: What criteria were targeted / what process was used in the selection of the 23 projects funded by the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund? How do these initiatives integrate into existing sexual and reproductive health programs?
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada:In 2024, Health Canada launched a targeted Call for Proposals focused on specific priority areas: training resources and materials for health care providers; travel and logistical support for people seeking abortion services; and, tools, awareness activities and resources for populations who face the greatest barriers to access.
A Health Canada review committee evaluated all submitted proposals against merit-based criteria, including the specificity and feasibility of proposed project activities and outputs, national or regional mandate or reach, organizational capacity as well as the level of stakeholder collaboration.
Jacobsen: What strategies ensure the care is culturally safe and relevant for Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQI+ populations? How will the training for healthcare providers address unique barriers faced by these underserved groups?
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada:Issues such as stigma and discrimination, geographic isolation in rural communities, and lack of access to primary care can impede access to sexual and reproductive health services and supports. Addressing these barriers and challenges is complex, yet can also provide new opportunities to improve culturally safe and relevant care and, ultimately, health outcomes for underserved populations.
For example, the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada carried out the Addressing Sexual Health Education Misinformation Among Parents/Caregivers project, which will equip health educators with information and resources to address sexual and reproductive health misinformation among parents and/or caregivers of school-aged youth. The project will consult parents and/or caregivers from under-served populations, with the aim of integrating their perspectives into the resources in a culturally appropriate manner.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada carried out the Beyond the Hot Flash project, which will develop and distribute evidence-based tools and resources for those going through menopause, as well as for health providers, with the aim of improving access to health services related to menopause. The project will also produce updated clinical practice guidelines for menopause care with significant attention on under-served women and non-binary people with the aim of supporting Canadians to manage their menopause more effectively and improve their quality of life.
Jacobsen: What was involved in the formation of the advisory council guiding this initiative and what was the role of the advisory council helping address sexual health misinformation?
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada: Please contact the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada on their advisory council.
Jacobsen: Are there any plans in discussions beyond the three-year funding period?
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada:The Government of Canada established Health Canada’s Sexual and Reproductive Health fund in 2021, with $81 million invested through the 2021 and 2023 federal budgets ($45 million and $36 million respectively). Additionally, in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the government committed a further $90 million over six years, starting in 2024-25, with $20 million ongoing, to expand and make permanent the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund, along with funding for Statistics Canada to undertake related surveys ($7.5 million over four years, starting in 2025-26).
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time.
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