Statistics Canada
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Access to abortion
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Before 1969, Canadian women who chose to terminate their pregnancy had no access to legal abortion. Between 1969 and January 1988, Canada's abortion law allowed induced abortions, subject to various criteria, including the approval of three physicians. In 1988, that legislation was struck down, leaving physicians the right to perform abortions. In addition, private clinics have opened across Canada except in Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
One immediate effect of greater accessibility was a sharp decline in the number of abortions obtained by Canadians in the United States. According to data from 14 states, the figure fell from 2,757 in 1987 to 293 in 1997 (72 of which were performed on 15- to 19-year-olds).
