https://www.cna-aiic.ca/fr/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/06/11/laiic-appuie-fermement-ladoption-du-projet-de-loi
June 11, 2026 (Ottawa, Ontario) — The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) strongly supports the passage of Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures), an important step toward reproductive justice, respect for bodily autonomy, accountability, and safer health systems for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and all people in Canada.
Sterilization, whether forced or coerced, is a procedure performed without valid consent, which this bill identifies as aggravated assault. This legislation helps close critical gaps in legal accountability and sends a clear message: forced and coerced sterilization has no place in Canada’s health systems.
CNA recognizes forced and coerced sterilization is rooted in colonization, sexism, racism and discrimination within health systems, which have had devastating and lasting impacts on Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit people, and other equity-denied communities.
“Free, prior, and informed consent is not optional — it is rooted in human rights and is foundational to ethical care,” said Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc, CNA president. “This legislation is an important step toward accountability, but it must also be accompanied by sustained action across health systems to address the sexism, racism, and discrimination that allowed these harms to occur and persist.”
“Nurses and all health professionals have an ethical responsibility to uphold the autonomy of people in their care, advocate for culturally safer care, and contribute to the work of truth and reconciliation,” said Dr. Valerie Grdisa, CNA CEO. “CNA is committed to continued work with Indigenous nursing leaders, survivors, governments, regulators, educators and health-system partners to help ensure that legal accountability is matched by meaningful change in practice, policy and institutional culture.”
This legislation aligns with CNA’s broader commitment to truth and reconciliation, including the ongoing work of addressing anti-Indigenous racism in nursing and health systems. Through initiatives such as The Path, an Indigenous cultural awareness course, and continued collaboration with Indigenous nursing leaders, CNA is working to support culturally safer care and meaningful systems-level change in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
CNA extends its sincerest gratitude to Senator Yvonne Boyer and the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice for their exemplary leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment in advancing this critical legislation. CNA honours the survivors whose testimony and persistence were foundational to this achievement. Their courage, integrity, and strength have driven this important legislative change. CNA recognizes its responsibility, alongside the broader health community, to ensure that this milestone results in meaningful, sustained action.
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About the Canadian Nurses Association
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing. Our mission is to advance the nursing profession to improve health outcomes in Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. CNA is the only national association that speaks for all nurses in all sectors and practice settings across all 13 provinces and territories. We represent unionized and non-unionized nurses, retired nurses, nursing students, and all categories of nurses (licensed and registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses).
For more information, please contact:
Kerri-Anne Finn
Media and Communications Coordinator
Cell: 613-282-7859
Email: kfinn@cna-aiic.ca
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