Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

What Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights does

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization headquartered in Ottawa (501-240 Bank Street), operating as the recognized national affiliate of Planned Parenthood Canada. Formed in 2014 through the merger of Action Canada for Population and Development, Canadians for Choice, and the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health, the organization delivers a frontline suite of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services to the general Canadian public and coordinates a national network of 24 associate member organizations spanning all provinces and territories.

The core product surface comprises five main offerings: the Access Line (a toll-free confidential support service at 1-888-642-2725 reachable by phone, text at 613-800-6757, and email, available daily 9 AM–9 PM ET with interpretation in 230+ languages); the Sexual Health Information Hub (an online resource delivering sex-positive, trauma-informed content); the Your Sexual Health mobile application (offline access to the Hub for low-connectivity users); a searchable Provider Directory for locating sexual health services by location; and the Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund, described as the only fund of its kind in Canada, providing financial support for travel, accommodations, and medication related to abortion access. Supporting products include the Abortion Access Tracker, the Canadian Contraception Policy Atlas (developed with UBC CART-GRAC), and the "Abortion Rights Are Human Rights" advocacy campaign. Underlying technology consists of peer-based multilingual support infrastructure rather than automated systems.

The organization operates as a registered charity under a non-transactional business model: services are provided free of charge, and revenue is composed of government grants (notably $2,122,795 over three years from Health Canada in 2022—the first federal funding specifically for domestic SRHR, part of a $45 million federal commitment), individual donations, and collaborative funding within the associate organization network. Customer segments span the general Canadian public, people in rural and remote areas, Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with financial insecurities, and migrants and refugees. With a current staff of over 20, the organization has evolved from a small entity into a nationally and internationally active SRHR voice, though it is currently navigating leadership transitions with an Acting Executive Director following Executive Director Farrah Khan's health-related step-back in June 2023.

Name

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

Legal name

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

Website

https://actioncanadashr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is a Canadian charitable organization (Planned Parenthood Canada) operating a toll-free Access Line, Sexual Health Information Hub, offline mobile app, provider directory, and the Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund to deliver sexual and reproductive health information, referrals, and financial support to Canadians nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reproductive Health Services

NAICS

Family Planning Centers (621410), Family Planning Centers (62141), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Planning & Contraception (Including Abortion Care) (HLAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contraception & Family Planning Telehealth (birth control, counseling, follow-up) (HLALAHAB), Sexual & Pelvic Health Telehealth (STI care, pelvic pain, endometriosis/PCOS support) (HLALAHAJ), Public Health Communications, Risk Communication & Community Engagement (HLAJAMAH), Sexual Health & Relationship Wellness Education (EDAAAHAM)

Keywords

• Sexual health services
• Reproductive health advocacy
• Healthcare information hotline
• Abortion access support
• Sexual health education

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from federal government, notably $2,122,795 over three years from Health Canada (2022) as part of a $45 million federal commitment to SRHR services. This is the first federal government funding specifically for domestic SRHR.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donor contributions supporting the Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund and general operations. The fund is completely depleted every year due to high demand.
3. Associate Organization Network: Network of 24 member organizations across Canada providing sexual health services, education, and support. Collaborative funding and resource sharing within the network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (also known as Planned Parenthood Canada) provides free, confidential sexual and reproductive health information, support, and referrals through a toll-free Access Line (phone, text, email), a comprehensive Sexual Health Information Hub, a mobile app with offline content, and an emergency financial fund. The organization also conducts national and international advocacy for sexual and reproductive health rights through campaigns and policy engagement.

Product overview

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights operates as Canada's Planned Parenthood, providing a suite of frontline services and advocacy programs focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The core offerings include the Access Line (a toll-free helpline), the Sexual Health Information Hub (online resource), the Your Sexual Health mobile app (offline access), a provider directory, and the Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund (financial assistance for abortion access). The organization also produces policy research tools like the Canadian Contraception Policy Atlas and the Abortion Access Tracker, alongside advocacy campaigns. These services work together to provide information, support, referrals, and financial assistance to advance sexual and reproductive health access across Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Access Line: Toll-free confidential support service for sexual and reproductive health questions including safer sex, pregnancy, and abortion. Available 7 days a week.
• Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund
• Sexual Health Information Hub

Products and services

• Access Line A toll-free, confidential support service providing information, support, and referrals for sexual and reproductive health questions including safer sex, pregnancy, and abortion. Available 7 days a week from 9 AM to 9 PM ET via phone (1-888-642-2725), text (613-800-6757), and email, with interpretation in 230+ languages.
• Sexual Health Information Hub An online information resource providing reliable, sex-positive, inclusive, pro-choice information about sexual health to support informed decisions and help users access the best care. Content is delivered through an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed lens.
• Your Sexual Health App A mobile application that mirrors content from the Sexual Health Information Hub and is available offline, enabling users to access sexual health information without an internet connection.
• Provider Directory / Services Locator A searchable online directory that helps Canadians find sexual health service providers by city, address, or postal code, and select the service they need.
• Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund A donor-supported financial assistance fund — the only fund of its kind in Canada — that supports people experiencing financial and logistical barriers to accessing abortion, covering travel, accommodations, medication, and related expenses. The fund is completely depleted every year due to high demand.
• Abortion Access Tracker A tracker documenting the legal landscape of abortion access across Canada, supporting advocacy and policy engagement.
• Canadian Contraception Policy Atlas Canada's first comparative analysis of provincial and territorial contraception policies, ranking provinces based on government policies supporting access to contraceptive supplies and information. Developed in partnership with CART-GRAC at the University of British Columbia.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60% of Access Line callers report travel and financial insecurity as major barriers to abortion access
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health (ASPSH)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services, education, and support in Calgary, Alberta.
• Centre for SexualitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Calgary, Alberta.
• Fédération du Québec pour le planning des naissances (FQPN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization representing Quebec in the network.
• Halifax Sexual Health CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• Island Sexual Health Society Community Health CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Victoria, British Columbia.
• Klinic Community Health CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• Options for Sexual HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Planned Parenthood Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Health CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Planned Parenthood OttawacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Planned Parenthood TorontocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Toronto, Ontario.
• Planned Parenthood ReginacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Regina, Saskatchewan.
• Sexual Health Nova ScotiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services across Nova Scotia.
• Sexuality Education Resource Centre ManitobacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexuality education resources in Manitoba.
• SHORE CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing sexual health services in Kitchener, Ontario.
• Women's Health CliniccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member organization providing women's health services in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• National Abortion Federation CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint advocacy and statement on essential abortion care during COVID-19 and other SRHR issues.
• Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on joint open letters and advocacy for reproductive rights and gender equality, including Roe v. Wade anniversary statement.
• Sexual Rights InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational coalition partner working on sexual rights at the global level.
• Cooperation CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian civil society coalition for international cooperation and development.
• Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART-GRAC), University of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership developing the Canadian Contraception Policy Atlas and other research initiatives.
• Canadian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParliamentary network advancing population and development issues including sexual and reproductive health.
• Vitala GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership changing the landscape of SRH care in Canada announced in 2023.
• World Health OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO recommends midwives serve as critical abortion providers. Action Canada references WHO guidelines supporting expanded abortion access.
• UNFPA SuppliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCall for Canada to increase access to contraception by funding UNFPA Supplies partnership.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Planned Parenthood Federation of America: The largest and most established US SRHR advocacy and service organization, operating clinics, hotlines, and policy work. Direct brand counterpart to Action Canada as the Canadian Planned Parenthood affiliate, sharing mission, service model, and political exposure.
• Canadian Women's Foundation: National Canadian foundation funding gender equity programs including SRHR. Comparable in advocacy and grantmaking footprint, though broader in scope (gender equality, anti-violence, economic empowerment).
• International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF): Global umbrella federation of which Action Canada is a member. Operates worldwide SRHR advocacy, service delivery, and policy programs through national affiliates — directly comparable in mission, federated structure, and advocacy focus.

Direct peers

• Options for Sexual Health (BC): BC-based sexual health service provider and Action Canada associate member. Operates clinics, a sexual health helpline, and education programs — a direct operational peer in clinical sexual health service delivery.
• Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN): Canadian non-profit focused on sexual health education research and promotion. Comparable in mission around evidence-based sexual health information, education, and policy advocacy, serving overlapping professional and public audiences.
• Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF): Canadian feminist legal advocacy organization and explicit Action Canada partner on reproductive rights statements (including Roe v. Wade anniversary). Comparable in advocacy, public education, and litigation-driven policy work on SRHR and gender equality.
• National Abortion Federation Canada: Canadian organization providing abortion access information, provider referrals, and advocacy — explicit strategic partner of Action Canada on joint COVID-19 abortion care statements. Operates a similar hotline and referral model for abortion services in Canada.

Emerging players

• Marie Stopes International / MSI Reproductive Choices: Global SRHR service provider operating clinics, telehealth, and abortion access programs internationally. Comparable mission and service mix, with Action Canada as the Canadian counterpart in the international SRHR ecosystem.
• Native Women's Sexual Health Network: Indigenous-led Canadian network addressing sexual and reproductive health for Indigenous women and gender-diverse people. Directly comparable mission focus on culturally appropriate SRHR, and overlaps in target populations (Indigenous, racialized communities).
• Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC): National professional association for OB/GYNs in Canada. Comparable in SRHR clinical guidance, policy advocacy, and provider education; an established authority whose clinical positions shape the same policy environment Action Canada operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/actioncanadashr

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights