Volunteer groups were responsible for most of the early family planning activities in Canada.
The Birth Control Society of Hamilton was formed in 1931. It opened Canada’s first birth control clinic. The Winnipeg Birth Control Society began in 1934. Its volunteers organized a family planning service with home visits. In 1955, the Service for the Regulation of Natality (SERENA) formed in Quebec. It developed a natural family planning education program that was taught by its volunteers. The Society for Population Planning was formed in 1961. It opened the first family planning clinic in British Columbia. In 1961, Barbara and George Cadbury organized a meeting in Toronto for people who were concerned about Canada’s birth control laws. The group went on to form Planned Parenthood Toronto.
Dr. Marion Powell always recognized the important role that volunteer groups played in family planning. They provided valuable services in the community. They advocated for sexual and reproductive health and rights. They also influenced government policy.
Dr. Powell participated in many of these groups. She was a member of the Planned Parenthood Toronto board from 1967 to 1973. She served as its president from 1972 to 1973. She was also on the board of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada from 1970 to 1976. She served as president of Planned Parenthood Ontario from 1978 to 1979. Dr. Powell was also a board member of the Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) from 1974 to 1977.
