Forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and girls in Canada: Understanding the practice and how to end it

July 2024

Forced and coerced sterilization is an ongoing, heinous practice that contradicts rights protected under Canada’s constitution, violates the doctrine of informed consent in medical practice, and disproportionally affects Indigenous women and girls both historically and today. Provinces, including Saskatchewan and Quebec, as well as the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, have investigated the issue of forced, coerced, and imposed sterilization, each uncovering the horrific realities from the perspectives of Indigenous women and health care providers either directly affected or witness to the act. The United Nations has also investigated involuntary sterilization, deeming it a form of torture and of principle concern for Canada to address through policy and legislative action.

Forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and girls in Canada: Understanding the practice and how to end it, intends to raise the profile of this issue across the country and serve as a starting point to learn about the issue from both national and global perspectives. Drawing on primarily grey literature from governments and national Indigenous organizations, this factsheet provides an overview of the history of forced and coerced sterilization in Canada, describes how the issue has been addressed at provincial, federal, and global levels, and outlines policy recommendations commonly cited by national and international committees, commissions, and leading advocates, each tailored to preventing and ending the practice in Canada and centred on the needs of afflicted Indigenous women and girls.