Equitable Access to Fertility Treatment

What’s at Stake?

Infertility affects approximately 1 in 6 Canadian couples. Without national support, many working families face insurmountable financial barriers to starting a family — threatening Canada’s demographic future and abandoning those who need help the most.

• In 2023, more than 28,000 Canadians received IVF treatment, with one cycle costing between $10,000 and $20,000. Most require multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy.
• Provincial coverage varies drastically. Ontario, Quebec, and BC fund at least one IVF cycle, while other provinces offer partial coverage or none at all.
• Roughly 22% of Canadians live in jurisdictions with minimal or no public funding for fertility treatment.
• Another 20% of Canadians live in rural or remote communities where fertility care is difficult — or impossible — to access.

Why This Policy Amendment?

This policy addresses both financial and geographic barriers to fertility care, demonstrating Conservative commitment to compassionate social policy that supports working families.

• There are no IVF clinics in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Yukon, or the Northwest Territories — meaning some families must travel more than four hours or even out of province for treatment.
• Canada’s record-low birthrate presents long-term risks to economic growth, workforce renewal, and intergenerational sustainability.
• A national approach ensures fairness: families should not be denied parenthood because of where they live.

Possible Implementation

Fertility treatment support can take many forms. The following options illustrate practical, implementable approaches — supporting the core policy does not require endorsing any specific implementation below.

Supporting Families With Compassion and Accountability

Fertility policy must balance accessibility and fiscal sustainability while preserving provincial healthcare delivery. A dedicated fertility framework in the Policy Declaration creates space for ongoing debate about Canada’s demographic future.

• Equitable access: ensuring families in underserved regions receive the same support as urban Canadians through targeted federal funding and regional capacity building.
• Fiscal sustainability: coverage models with clear eligibility criteria, evidence-based outcome tracking, and transparent reporting.
• Provincial partnership: collaborating with provinces through adjusted Canada Health Transfer mechanisms while respecting jurisdiction and local delivery models.