The chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Dr. Edward Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton sent a letter to the Minister of Health, Hugh (Ted) Flemming, requesting government funding and support for Clinic 554. The letter pointed out that the work of Clinic 554 and Dr. Edgar were “an irreplaceable resource,” and that it was “inexplicable” that clinic-based vasectomies were funded but clinic-based abortion services were not.