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 partners to address forced or coerced sterilization as part of a broader imperative to eliminate systemic anti-Indigenous 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.

About forced/coerced sterilization
• Canada has a long history of forcibly sterilizing strategically marginalized people, including Indigenous women, Black women, and women with disabilities. This practice continues today, with Indigenous women reporting this occurred to them as recently as 2024.
• Senator Yvonne Boyer estimates over 12,000 Indigenous women in Canada have experienced involuntary sterilization.
• Since 2017, coerced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canada has garnered significant attention both within Canada and internationally. Canada has been criticized by both the United Nations’ Committee against Torture and the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Class action and individual civil suits claiming substantial damages have been launched in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, N.W.T. and in the Federal Court. The government of Canada was named as a defendant in some of these actions.
• Forced and coerced sterilization is one of the most egregious examples of anti-Indigenous racism in the health care system. Federal/provincial/territorial governments, regulatory bodies, accreditation bodies, medical education programs, health care institutions, and health care providers all have a role to play in stopping this intolerable act. In December 2018, the federal Minister of Indigenous Services and the federal Minister of Health wrote to provincial and territorial counterparts and professional colleges to express concern over forced and coerced sterilization, seeking to work collaboratively to increase autonomy, safety and respect for Indigenous women in Canada’s health care system.
About 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. Department of Justice officials supported the drafting of revisions to Bill S-250, which then passed the senate before Parliament prorogued in 2025. It has now been reintroduced as Bill S-228.
• The Government of Canada recognizes that forced and coerced sterilization is a violation of human rights and a form of anti-Indigenous racism, and continues to follow the progress of Bill S-228.
About Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice
• In a few short years, the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice has established a registry of survivors and 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. We are committed to maintaining a strong partnership with Survivors Circle, and commend them on the work they do to address the needs of survivors.
On Funding
• Building on Budget 2021 investments, Budget 2024 reinvested $167.6 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, to support efforts to eliminate anti-Indigenous racism through Indigenous-led and community-informed projects that advance cultural and patient safety, improve access to culturally appropriate services, restore Indigenous birthing practices, and strengthen Indigenous representation across all levels of the health care system.

If pressed on forced and coerced sterilization
• All Indigenous women must receive culturally safe health services with fully informed consent.
• Over $12 million has been directed to Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice since 2023.
• 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 Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
• 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, funding for treatments such as IVF or tubal ligation reversals may be accessed through the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice.
• The Government of Canada is supportive of steps being taken to eradicate this heinous practice and to support healing for survivors. 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.
• Revisions were made to the bill, which then passed the Senate before Parliament prorogued in 2025. The revised bill was reintroduced as Bill S-228, passed by the Senate, and is now awaiting second reading in the House of Commons.