Unfortunately, not all pregnancy counselling is impartial. In 1993 there were 104,400 abortions performed in Canada, a rate of 15 abortions for every 1,000 women aged 15-44 years. This rate is slightly higher than in previous years, in part because of the poor economy. Canada's abortion rate is low in comparison with that of other countries. Abortions are performed in a small percentage of hospitals in Canada by a few hundred doctors.
Abortion tends to be unavailable outside of the main urban centres.
Hospitals generally require that a woman seeking an abortion be referred by a physician, whereas clinics do not. Hospitals mostly use general anaesthesia for abortions. Clinics always use local anaesthesia. Abortions in hospitals are covered under provincial health insurance plans. Abortions performed in clinics may be fully covered, partially covered, or not covered at all, depending on the province.