On July 3, 2025, Canada lost one of its quiet champions of reproductive justice. Dr Jacques Desrosiers helped shape abortion care in Atlantic Canada into what it is today. 

Practising for 40 years, he never sought recognition, but his work and the Reproductive Options and Services (ROSE) Clinic, named in his honour, remain lasting symbols of compassion and reproductive rights in Nova Scotia and beyond. 

In the early 1990s, Jacques worked with Dr. Henry Morgentaler at Nova Scotia’s first private abortion clinic, in McCully St, in Halifax. Later, Jacques became the lead doctor at the provincial clinic at the Victoria General Hospital, where he created a safe and respectful environment for reproductive care. That clinic eventually became the ROSE Clinic. It was renamed upon his retirement, reflecting the deep respect of his colleagues and the transformative power of his work.

“He did the work and was always committed to providing excellent care,” says Dr. Lianne Yoshida, current co-director of the ROSE Clinic.

That simple, focused approach defined Jacques’ leadership. He wasn’t interested in praise but stayed dedicated to providing care and access to patients needing abortion care. 

“Jacques had this very principled way of being in the world, very quiet, steady, and principled. He just came to work every day and did his work,” says Dr. Martha Paynter, a former staff nurse and currently an affiliate scientist with the ROSE Clinic. “He was the longest-serving abortion provider in all of Atlantic Canada, possibly in Canada.”

The ROSE Clinic provides procedural and medication abortion, counseling, contraception, and follow-up care for people across Nova Scotia. It is the highest volume abortion clinic in Atlantic Canada, built on Jacques’ values of excellent medical care, compassion, and making reproductive healthcare accessible and normalized. 

“We work in a safe, supportive environment and genuinely enjoy working together,” says Martha. “It’s a very different reality now compared to when Jacques practised during times of violence and ridicule. We’re spared those challenges because he already faced them.”

The name “ROSE” was chosen to reflect warmth, care, and dignity. “At first, we thought about simply calling it The Abortion Clinic — straightforward and clear,” Martha explains. “But then we realized we could create a meaningful acronym and also honour Jacques.”

Lianne remembers telling Jacques about the name change. “He was really quite touched.” True to his character, he accepted the recognition with humility.

What surprises many about abortion care at ROSE is how normal it feels for patients. 

“Patients generally come in, they’ve made their decision, they’re seeking comfortable care from supportive and competent clinicians. And that’s what he delivered,” says Martha, 

Patients often share heartfelt gratitude for their experience at the ROSE Clinic. “There are so many sincere thank you's from patients and I'm always struck when a patient says "thank you for being nice.', like they weren't expecting that,” says Lianne.

Jacques’ approach continues to shape every part of the clinic: non-judgmental, calm, and respectful. The ROSE Clinic shows what abortion care can be: seamless, safe, and free of shame. That was Jacques’ vision, and it remains at the heart of the clinic today.

“Nobody’s protesting our patients. Our patients feel confidence and relief. Everything is just normal,” says Martha. “They calmly get care, they go home at the end, and they move on with their lives.”

Reproductive rights are, and will continue to be, a central part of Nova Scotia’s healthcare system, with the ROSE Clinic carrying on Jacques’ work and honouring his legacy every day.

Photo of Dr. Jacques Desrosiers.