Redefining Abortion Access in Canada – New Brunswick as a Case Study.

This article focuses on the evolving landscape of abortion access in New Brunswick (NB), Canada, highlighting significant improvements despite longstanding reputational challenges. Historically restrictive policies, including the 1985 Bill 92 banning abortion clinics and refusal to fund abortions in free-standing clinics, have shifted since 2015 with the introduction of publicly funded hospital-based abortion services and the expansion of medication abortion access, notably through nurse practitioners. NB now offers abortion care through multiple primary care providers and telemedicine, with medication abortions comprising over two-thirds of procedures by 2023, reflecting broader Canadian and international trends. However, public and professional awareness has lagged behind these changes, potentially hindering timely access and care. Nurses and nurse practitioners play a critical role in educating patients and normalizing abortion as part of primary care in the province.