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A Nova Scotia hospital founded by Catholic sisters 120 years ago is dropping the St. Martha's name as its Catholic operating agreement expires, potentially clearing the way for medical assistance in dying (MAID) and abortion services previously restricted by the hospital’s religious mandate.

St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish will officially become Antigonish Memorial Regional Hospital on October 1, following the expiration of the Mission Assurance Agreement between the Sisters of St. Martha, Nova Scotia Health and the provincial government.

The end of that agreement could have significant consequences for what procedures are offered at the hospital.

St. Martha’s does not currently perform abortions because of its Catholic mandate. MAID, which was initially prohibited on the hospital campus, has been available since 2019 in a separate building rather than inside the hospital itself.

Nova Scotia Health has not announced that abortions or MAID will begin being performed inside the renamed hospital. However, Health Minister Michelle Thompson previously said the Province intends to bring the facility's services and policies into line with those of other Nova Scotia hospitals once the Catholic agreement expires.

“We want to move towards having all hospitals with the same services, policies, procedures,” Thompson said earlier this year.

The Sisters founded St. Martha’s in 1906 and operated it directly until 1996. Under the Mission Assurance Agreement established that year, the hospital continued operating according to its Catholic mission and ethical principles despite coming under provincial control.

The Sisters had identified another Catholic organization willing to take over sponsorship of the hospital's mission, but the Nova Scotia government declined to continue the arrangement with a replacement sponsor.

With the Catholic identity of the hospital coming to an end, the Sisters subsequently decided the St. Martha’s name should also be removed.

“The Sisters of St. Martha will no longer be sponsors of the St. Martha Regional Hospital Mission nor will St. Martha’s continue to be a Catholic hospital,” the congregation said in June.

Antigonish Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick criticized the province's decision not to accept another Catholic sponsor, warning that the ethical framework that had guided the hospital would diminish without the agreement.

Nova Scotia Health says the new “Memorial” name is intended to recognize the Sisters’ 120 years of service, with plans for a permanent space inside the hospital commemorating their legacy.