Frequently Asked Questions

Occasionally we are asked about who we are and what we do. We have listed some of these questions and answers below so you can get to know us better! The answers given refer exclusively to our pregnancy care centre.

You are also welcome to contact us if you have further questions or would like more information.

Do women need a refferal to receive support and is there a cost?

No referrals are needed to receive care at our centre, and all our services are provided free of charge.

Some of our centre services include pregnancy tests, pregnancy options information, material supports, community referrals, post-abortion support and education, and prenatal, parenting, and adoption support.

Does the LPFSC prevent a woman from accessing an abortion?

No. LPFSC offers a safe environment for a woman to make a pregnancy decision that is fully informed, evidence-based, consistent with her belief system, and free from external influence. We respect a woman’s right to make her own decision and provide her with medically accurate information on all three options: abortion, adoption, and parenting.

Before receiving services from the LPFSC, every client reads a Limitation of Services form, which clearly indicates that the centre does not provide or assist in arranging for abortions.

If a client chooses to pursue an abortion, the centre will not mislead or obstruct this decision. If a client requests help in obtaining an abortion, she is advised to consult her healthcare professional. She is also encouraged to return for post-abortion support, if desired.

Is the abortion information shared by LPFSC medically accurate?

Yes. The primary resource used by LPFSC is “Abortion Adoption Parenting,” a medically accurate and evidence-informed booklet. This resource has been reviewed by 45 specialized practitioners, including perinatal nurses, family physicians, obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical ethicists, psychologists, and social workers from across Canada.

Is post-abortion stressed real?

Post-abortion stress is not a myth. LPFSC respond to many women every year who voluntarily seek help for negative post-abortion emotions. Many women look for a safe place to speak about their feelings, and LPFSC provides such a safe place.

Emotional responses to abortion vary. They may depend on a woman’s age, the stage of her pregnancy, religious or cultural beliefs, previous mental health, or whether others pressured her into having an abortion.

Each woman experiencing post-abortion stress is met respectfully and provided with the support she is seeking. The nature of support provided is client-led. Support may be one-on-one or in a group setting, providing her with an opportunity to speak about her feelings regarding her abortion experience. If a client requires help beyond the scope of expertise available at the pregnancy care centre, she is referred to a professional counsellor, physician, or community-based mental health service.

One must not – because of ideological or any other reasons – discount, minimize, or be judgmental concerning the emotional experience of any woman following her abortion.

Are you pro-life or anti-abortion?

If by pro-life you mean a shared belief that all human beings have intrinsic value, yes, we are. However, the terms pro-life, pro-choice, and anti-abortion have become politicized, polarizing, and confusing.

LPFSC is pro-women and pro-information. We believe in giving value to and caring for both the woman and the unborn child. We do this through the provision of practical information and compassionate support.

Some women with an unexpected pregnancy feel like they have no other choice but abortion. We don’t believe this is acceptable. Every woman deserves to understand all her options and also have access to alternatives to an unwanted abortion.

Our goal is to provide a safe place for women and men experiencing the challenge of an unexpected pregnancy to work through their unique pregnancy situation and empower them to make an informed decision.

Do you share your faith with clients?

LPFSC identifies as a Christian organization. For all support provided, we follow a permission-based approach. Whether sharing information about pregnancy options or having a spiritual discussion, we ask for permission first and let the client decide.

We acknowledge that every one of us has practical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and so we provide holistic comprehensive care to individuals dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Comprehensive care may include helping with practical needs (such as material supports and education resources), providing emotional support (being a source of encouragement), as well as addressing the spiritual needs of an individual (offering to pray for someone).

What is your posititon regarding political activism?

LPFSC is non-political and non-partisan. We focus specifically on the compassionate, respectful provision of support for individuals impacted by an unexpected pregnancy.

We believe it is essential for our care centre to be a safe place for individuals challenged by an unexpected pregnancy or a prior abortion experience. Staff and volunteers offer practical support and accurate information – walking alongside individuals on their journey.

What type of training is provided to LPFSC staff & volunteers?

LPFSC equips centre personnel by providing comprehensive training and professional development through up-to-date training manuals, online resources, webinars, leadership coaching, and in-person training.

All personnel working with clients learn accurate information about the options available to women facing a pregnancy decision: abortion, adoption, and parenting. The client care training also includes such topics as understanding the client (e.g., possible abuse, impoverishment, mental health, cross-cultural sensitivity), trauma-informed care, understanding crisis, pregnancy loss, and healthy relationships.

Once the client care training is completed, personnel also receive supervision, mentoring, and ongoing training to ensure they are competent in serving all clients with compassion and excellence. In addition, our affiliated centres are equipped with policies and procedures to guide best-practice standards in client care.

Do you discriminate against certain lifestyle choices? How do you care for individuals who do not share your religious worldview?

LPFSC is committed to caring for every individual with the same compassionate support.

As a Pregnancy Care Canada affiliate, we agree to the following statement outlined in our Commitment of Care and Competence:

Clients are served without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, lifestyle, or other arbitrary circumstances.

How are you funded?

LPFSC does not receive any government funding. We rely solely on the generous donations of individuals, businesses, churches, and private foundations. 

Are pregnancy care centres legitimate charities? Should they have charitable status?

Yes. The Canada Revenue Agency states that:

Registered charities are charitable organizations, public foundations, or private foundations that are created and resident in Canada. They must use their resources for charitable activities and have charitable purposes that fall into one or more of the following categories: The relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion, or other purposes that benefit the community.[1]

Pregnancy care centres serve within this charitable capacity as they compassionately care for the vulnerable. Centres use their resources for charitable activities, benefit the communities they serve, and add value to our society.

Over the past 20+ years, PCC-affiliated centres have provided support for over 158,000 clients across Canada. The cumulative charitable and economic impact is significant.

[1]Canada Revenue Agency, Government of Canada. “What is the difference between a registered charity and a non-profit organization?” (Accessed October 2021).

WHO WE HELP