Lawless

Diana Moreno, Advocacy Director, Profamilia

“Clear, rigorous, and deeply grounded in both scholarship and practice, Lawless is an essential resource for anyone working to make abortion access real. Drawing on her brilliance as a teacher and researcher, Paynter demystifies the different layers—legal, clinical, political, and social—that shape abortion care in Canada. This book is not only a must-read for scholars and activists in Canada, but also a powerful guide for global advocates seeking to understand what it takes to move from legal frameworks to meaningful access.”

Dr. John Reynolds-Wright, University of Edinburgh

“Dr. Paynter has delivered a comprehensively researched and clearly written user guide for understanding the Canadian legal context for abortion and how this impacts upon delivery and access. Valuable for clinicians, researchers, and activists, in Canada and worldwide. As an international reader, I was fascinated by the history of Canada’s abortion law reform and the continued struggle to ensure access to affordable, compassionate, and timely care. Understanding the Canadian journey is critical to countries like the UK, teetering on the brink of law reform and decriminalization, and Lawless guides the reader through the successes and challenges in that journey so far.”

Lianne Yoshida MD, Reproductive Options and Services (ROSE) Clinic Halifax

“This book brings into focus a vibrant picture of the past, present and future of abortion access in Canada. The scope of this book is amazing — each chapter is so well referenced and clearly written. Paynter expertly articulates how access to abortion and reproductive justice can be denied or limited, despite the removal of abortion from the criminal code in 1988. She describes the significant challenges overcome by the diverse reproductive justice movement, and lays out the next battles required to remove the remaining barriers to true reproductive justice for all Canadians.”

Dr. Patricia A. Lohr, Director of Research and Innovation, British Pregnancy Advisory Service

“Lawless is a compelling exploration of what full decriminalization of abortion can achieve — and what it cannot. Drawing on Canada’s experience and international evidence, Martha Paynter shows why real reproductive autonomy demands more than legal reform alone. A vital read for anyone committed to advancing health, dignity, and equality.”

Frederique Chabot, Executive Director, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

“Dr. Paynter is one of the few people in Canada whose combined experience as a frontline health care provider, researcher, teacher, and activist gives her a rare, birds-eye view of the legal, policy, and access dimensions of abortion. This book is a vital resource for anyone seeking to understand abortion not just as a medical procedure but as a political flashpoint and a cornerstone of gender justice. Accessible, grounded, and deeply informed, this book will reshape how we think and talk about reproductive rights in Canada.”

Natasha Hines, Chair, Wellness Within

“Dr. Martha Paynter cuts sharply through the shroud of secrecy and misinformation surrounding abortion in Canada. An invaluable resource detailing a path of resiliency, imperfection, victories, and struggles, this book is a clear map that leaves the reader informed, invigorated, and hopeful of change yet to come.”

Abdul-Fatawu Abdulai, University of British Columbia

“Lawless is a bold, timely, and essential exploration of what it truly means to provide abortion services free from the constraints of criminal law. With clarity, passion, and lived expertise, Dr. Martha Paynter exemplifies Canada’s unique position as the only country in the world with complete decriminalization—while revealing the ongoing barriers, disinformation, and political resistance that persist. This book is a vital resource for women and gender activists, clinicians, educators and students of law, political scientists, historians, policymakers, and anyone interested in and seeking honest, accessible, and justice-driven insights into abortion care today. This book doesn’t just inform—it empowers, calling readers to action in pursuit of a more equitable reproductive future.

Karen Lawford, PhD, Anishinaabe Midwife, Lac Seul First Nation

“Dr. Martha Paynter’s book, Lawless, offers a careful and rigorous analysis of abortion in Canada, illuminating the complexities of reproductive justice in a manner that is clear and conscientious. By centring patients over policy hurdles and offering a robust examination of inter-jurisdictional health care, Dr. Paynter’s book also stands as a vital case study for anyone engaged in public health or service delivery. I especially appreciate how her scholarship situates abortion alongside the ongoing realities of forced, coercive, and involuntary sterilization of Indigenous Peoples, offering an essential lens of analysis for reproductive justice in this country.”

CJ Blennerhassett, President, Canadian Association of Midwives

“Lawless is a bold, necessary, and deeply informed call to action. As a midwife and leader in reproductive and sexual health, I urge everyone working in health policy and care delivery to read this book. Lawless shows us how Canada can move from legal freedom to true, equitable access to abortion care for all.”

Wendy V. Norman, University of British Columbia

“Dr Paynter’s writing style is engaging, encouraging rapid page turning as Canada’s story of abortion regulation within the context of complete decriminalization effortlessly unfolds. She has included all aspects I wanted to understand, and explained complex legal terms and processes in an accessible, and very readable prose. This is set to become a handbook for legislators and advocates in countries where abortion remains in criminal law, and will undoubtedly be required reading for health care law courses across Canada.”

Joyce Arthur, Executive Director, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC)

“Martha Paynter’s book is a tour de force examination of the abortion situation in Canada today. She makes a strong case that decriminalized abortion in Canada has been a huge win for Canadians. It’s helped enable ongoing improvements to abortion access, free care for almost everyone, higher quality services, and more providers — especially after the introduction of the abortion pill in 2017. While we still have gaps to work on and threats to fight against, Paynter’s book reminds us to be proud of our accomplishments and gives us confidence to achieve even more.”