Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is excited to announce the winners of the 2026 Helen & Fred Bentley Awards for Excellence of Achievement. This year we are recognizing the work of:
This year’s recipients continue in the great tradition of previous winners, in working to ensure that sexual and reproductive health services are available to all. We are thankful to have these organizations as part of our Associates Network.
Here’s more about this year’s winning programs, and the meaningful and impactful ways they are working to connect with people in their communities:
- Fédération du Québec pour le planning des naissances is a feminist organization dedicated to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and public education. They are being awarded for their Révolution contraceptive campaign. This is an advocacy campaign in Québec, calling for the provincial government to provide free contraception, improve training for healthcare professionals on all methods of contraception, and to increase funding to community organizations working in the field of contraception. As part of Révolution contraceptive, a petition collecting nearly 96,000 signatures, all calling for free contraception, was presented to the National Assembly – the most signatures of any petition during this legislative term! They are currently developing new strategies and resources following the recent provincial election.
- Women's Health Clinic is an inclusive feminist community health clinic, offering client-centred support through services and education. They are being awarded for their Birth Control and Pregnancy Counselling (BCPC) program. Since 1981, the BCPC program has provided peer counselling to support clients in making informed decisions about birth control, safer sex, and pregnancy options. Having lasted for over 45 years, the BCPC program continues to adapt to fit their community by centering the lived experiences of people using the service and responding to the needs and barriers shared by participants. Their peer-based approach has proven particularly effective at being able to address increasing misinformation and fear surrounding contraception.
About the Helen and Bentley Awards
The Helen & Fred Bentley Awards for Excellence of Achievement recognize outstanding achievements by Associate Organizations of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, particularly in contraceptive care.
About Action Canada’s Associate Organizations Network
Action Canada’s Associate Organization Network is a group of sexual health service, support, and education providers from across the country. Together we work to mobilize our movement to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights for everyone.
For more information about the winning programs and the Bentley Awards, please contact info@actioncanadashr.org.