First, I don't want to start an argument about abortion in general as I'm sure that's been done to death and nobody would be likely to change their views. I just ahve a question specifically realted to how abortion is funded in Canada and if anyone is able to answer it, that would be appreciated.

I was jsut reading an article on the Star's website found at: http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/506014
and it mentioned trying to force the government to pay for abortions in the province of New Brunswick.

I'm confused about how abortion is funded in Canada. I've never practiced medicine here so don't know the ins and outs of the billing system but I assumed that it was already covered. Or is it only that "essential medical procedures" are covered and abortion does not fall into that definition, which allows people to pay for it as an "optional service". Is it that if it's done at a hospital, public health coverage pays for it but if it's done in a private clinic, the patient pays out of pocket? Wouldn't that run afoul of the Canada Health Act and be considered two-tier health care whereby people with money can get services faster or better than people without it?