Whereas youth aged 12-29 have the right to access sexual and reproductive health services and information regardless of their gender, location, religion, ethnicity, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation and/or socio-economic status:


Sexual and Reproductive Rights
The Canadian Charter of Sexual and Reproductive Rights for Youth states the fundamental rights that youth must bear to have and maintain sexual health are as follows: 1. Education and Knowledge Rights;
2. Choice Rights;
3. Health care Rights; and
4. Safety Rights.


1. Education and Knowledge Rights

Sexual and reproductive health information includes but is not limited to: sexual pleasure; body image; choice of partners; menstruation; contraception and barrier methods; protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual expression. Youth have the right to:

a) access unbiased and comprehensive sexual health education through public, private and home school systems;
b) equal and high quality sexual health education regardless of school board, city or province;
c) sexual health information that discusses healthy relationships, anatomy, sexually transmitted infections, contraception and barrier methods and three pregnancy options (parenting, adoption and abortion); and
d) information taught by fully trained sexual health educators who learn new information and research in the fields of sexuality on an ongoing basis.

2. Choice Rights

Youth have the right to make their own decisions concerning:

a) whether to have children;
b) when to have children;
c) whether to have sexual relationships;
d) when to have sexual relationships;
e) whether to get married;
f) three pregnancy options (parents, adoption and abortion);
g) whether to advocate for sexual rights (without the fear of punishment); and
h) whether they will seek permission from parents/guardians regarding their sexual health.

3. Health care Rights

Youth have the right to access sexual health services that are:

a) confidential and nonjudgmental and that do not require parental/guardian consent or permission within the community;
b) of the same quality that adults receive; and
c) encompassing of new sexual health knowledge and technology.

4. Safety Rights

Youth have the right to safety and protection against:

a) sexually transmitted infections;
b) any form of sexual abuse, exploitation or violence;
c) unsafe sex;
d) forced abortion regardless of situation;
e) sterilization;
f) forced pregnancy; and
g) genital mutilation.

These rights are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canada Health Act. This Charter is a draft that is subject to change due to youth input.