In Canada, there is no legal time limit on abortion, meaning abortion is legal throughout pregnancy. However, practical access to abortion services varies by province and clinic, and most abortions are performed in the first trimester. Some clinics and hospitals offer abortions up to around 24 weeks of pregnancy, but beyond 24 weeks availability is very limited and usually requires specialized referral. In some cases, abortions after 24 weeks may be performed for specific medical reasons, such as severe fetal abnormalities. If seeking an abortion near or past 24 weeks, one might need to travel outside Canada for care. To summarize:
- Abortion is legal at any gestational age in Canada (no criminal law restricting it).
- Most abortions occur before 20-24 weeks.
- Access after 24 weeks is rare and generally for exceptional medical cases.
- There is no formal national law setting a gestational limit, but provincial healthcare systems regulate access and availability.
- Some provinces have clinics that offer abortions up to about 24 weeks.
- After 24 weeks, abortion access is highly restricted and typically requires referral to specialized care.
- People under 14 require parental or guardian consent, but those 14 and older can consent freely.
This means one can legally get an abortion in Canada very late in pregnancy, but practical availability decreases significantly with gestational age, especially after 24 weeks.
