Question Period Note: Forced and Coerced Sterilization

N.A.

• Forced and coerced sterilization are forms of gender-based violence. Sterilization of women without their informed consent constitutes a serious criminal offence and is inconsistent with basic human rights ‎and medical standards.

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working with our partners to address forced or coerced sterilization as part of a broader imperative to eliminate systemic racism in the health care system.

• Anyone impacted who requires mental health or crisis support can contact Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice or the Hope for Wellness Line.

• On October 23, 2025 The Toronto Star ran an article about Katy Bear, and Indigenous women who recently gave birth to a baby girl after the reversal of a forced and coerced tubal ligation.
• Katy Bear recently spoke at the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice’s launch of their research report on Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
• The report touches on the services available, the associated costs in Canada and several comparable nations, and the importance of culturally safe and appropriate care for survivors seeking these services.
• In a few short years, the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice has enabled direct support to the survivors of forced and coerced sterilization, as well as contributed to ensuring access to culturally-safe, trauma-informed and intersectional care.

If pressed on forced and coerced sterilization
• All Indigenous women must receive culturally safe health services with fully informed consent.

• Over $12 million was directed to Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice.

• The organization is a survivor-led non-profit that supports advocacy and healing related to reproductive and obstetric violence committed against Indigenous women, men, and gender diverse people.

• The Indigenous Women’s Well-Being Advisory Committee, established in 2019 in response to the issue of forced and coerced sterilization, continues to advise and guide our response. If pressed on the Toronto Star article

• Katy Bear recently spoke at the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice’s launch of their research report on Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

• Survivors may view Assisted Reproductive Technologies as a means of healing after the trauma of forced and coerced sterilization. In addition to healing supports like therapy and traditional ceremonies, fertility treatments such as a IVF may be accessed through the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice.

• The Government of Canada is supportive steps being taken to eradicate this heinous practice and that allows survivors to heal. If pressed on Bill S-228

• The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights recommended that a specific offence be added to the Criminal Code prohibiting forced and coerced sterilization, which Senator Boyer attempted with Bill S-250.

• Department of Justice officials supported the drafting of revisions to the bill, which then passed the senate before Parliament prorogued in 2025. It has now been reintroduced as Bill S-228.