Health Canada approved the abortion drug RU-486 late Wednesday, more than two years after the manufacturer submitted its application.
The drug has been available since 1988 in Britain and France, and was approved for use in the United States in 2000.
Women will need a prescription from their doctor to use the drug, which will be sold in Canada under the brand name Mifegymiso, and is manufactured by Linepharma International Limited.
According to studies, RU-486 can be used safely as late as 70 days into a pregnancy.
The drug is apparently effective in 95 per cent of cases.