The American providers say they are happy to fill the gap in services and will even provide financial assistance for any New Brunswick women who can’t afford the $500 fee, either by dipping into their national network funding or through local donations.

But they are urging premier-designate Brian Gallant to ensure access to abortion services in New Brunswick.

“Abortion is part of a woman’s reproductive rights,” said Kate Gawler, director of abortion services at the Maine Family Planning clinic in Augusta.

“Certainly it’s an extra hardship to drive the four-and-a-half hours or five hours,” she said of the round trip.

“The passport issue is another barrier.”

The Maine Family Planning clinic used to get the occasional phone call from Canada, but now it’s routinely getting about one or two calls a week from New Brunswick women, said Gawler.

Read the article HERE