Frequently Asked Questions

Abortion Clinics

Prince County Hospital
Summerside, PE
Toll Free: 1-844-365-8258

Surgical abortions are performed up to 12 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy. Program staff can help women from PEI access providers in other provinces after 12 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy. Medical abortions are performed up to 9 weeks of pregnancy.

The Moncton Hospital

Family Planning Clinic
Moncton, NB
Toll Free: 1-844-806-9205

Abortions are performed up to 13 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy.

Please note: Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am - 4:00pm. Calls made after hours or on weekends will be returned during regular business hours. Clinic Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm.

QEII Health Sciences Centre

Termination of Pregnancy Unit
Halifax, NS
(902) 473-7072

Abortions are performed up to 15 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy.

Please note: When you call this number, you may have to leave a voicemail message and a number so that someone can call you back.

Clinic 554

Fredericton, NB
Toll Free: 1-855-978-5434

A private clinic. Fees range from $700 to $850. Abortions are performed up to 16 weeks of pregnancy. (If the pregnancy is beyond 16 weeks, referral is made to another service, either in Quebec or Ontario.)

Appointment lasts approximately 3-4 hours, with the actual abortion procedure taking approximately 10-20 minutes.

Other Helpful Contacts and Services

Health PEI Abortion Services Out of Province Coordinator: Phone: 1-844-365-8258
Health PEI - Out-of-Province Travel Support Plan: Phone: (902) 368-5918
Email: ooptravelsupport@gov.pe.ca
Women's Network PEI: Phone: (902) 368-5040
Toll free: 1 (888) 362-7373
Community Legal Information: Phone: (902) 892-0853
Toll free: 1 (800) 240-9798

What is surgical abortion?

A surgical abortion is a procedure which ends a pregnancy by emptying the uterus (or womb) with special instruments. This is the most well-known method, and it involves accessing a clinic or a hospital.

What is a medical abortion?

Medication abortion, also referred to as medical abortion, is caused by a pill or injection, rather than by a surgical procedure. Medications work to stop the growth of the placenta and then soften the cervix and make the uterus contract and push out the pregnancy tissue. A medication abortion takes place at home, not in a clinic. As of January 2017, the abortion medication Mifegymiso has officially been available in Canada. This drug has a lower risk of complications than the Methotrexate and Misoprostol combination pill. It is available for free at the Prince County Hospital Women's Wellness Program.

Family physicians and specialists across PEI may also prescribe abortion medications in their practices, but free access is only through the Women's Wellness Program.

More information

What is a medically necessary abortion?

It is inappropriate to designate one abortion vs another as medically necessary as opposed to not medically necessary. All abortions are medically necessary. Pregnancy is not a completely benign state of being. The risks associated with pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period are far greater than the risks of a termination. All pregnant people should have the choice as to whether they wish to accept these risks associated with pregnancy. For those who do not wish to, termination is the only acceptable answer. There is no other medical state in which we force people to take risks with their health against their will based on the political or philosophical views of others. Therefore, all terminations, by virtue of the fact that they decrease the overall risk to the health of the person pregnant, are medically necessary.

Does the PEI government provide support for out-of-province travel expenses?

The Out-of-Province Travel Support Program provides travel assistance through Maritime Bus Company to eligible Islanders travelling to New Brunswick or Nova Scotia for medical appointments. Those approved will have their bus ticket subsidized by 50% or 100% depending on income.

More information

Where can I access free pregnancy tests and/or condoms?

Free pregnancy tests and condoms are available through the Women's Wellness Program and Sexual Health Services at locations in Charlottetown (at The Mount, 143 Mount Edward Rd) and Summerside (at Prince County Hospital). Staff will show you how to use them, and you can take a pregnancy test on location, or take the test(s) home. They can also be mailed to you. Call 1-844-365-8258 for more information.

Free pregnancy tests and/or condoms are also available at P.E.E.R.S. Alliance.