Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and [name of your Premier],

Roughly 16% of couples in Canada experience infertility. This number has doubled since the 1980s.

Furthermore, the costs of fertility treatments can be prohibitively expensive. For example, fertility treatment for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can cost between $15,000 to $23,000 (plus $2,000-$7,000 for medications).

The Issue:

Currently, the majority of Canadian provinces do NOT offer funding for fertility treatments.

And, without funding, treatments become impossible to afford for many Canadians. Thus, we are leaving them with the unfortunate reality of never getting to become parents.

My Request:

Canada needs a national funding model so that every Canadian gets the opportunity to have a family.

Please act to institute a national funding model for fertility treatments.

I have included further information below on the current coverage by province and the benefit of a nationally funded system. I look forward to hearing your response,

[Your Name]

Concerned constituent of [your city and province]

Benefits of a National Model:

“…having a standard, publicly funded system across provinces would improve the safety and quality of IVF services and lower health-care costs in the long run.” “I think that one of the fundamental benefits of having something that is uniform, that is national, is that every individual Canadian and IVF patient is going to be treated similarly and have access to the same kind of treatment,” – CBC

Details By Province:

“Treatment coverage currently exists in only four provinces and varies significantly. Ontario provides funding to cover the first round of IVF. Manitoba offers a tax credit and New Brunswick has a grant to help cover partial costs. Quebec previously covered three rounds of IVF, but rolled back its coverage in November 2015 to a refundable tax credit. The remaining nine provinces and territories have no coverage.” – CBC

Infertility is just bad luck. We need to ensure having children is a human right no matter your physical limitations, income level or sexual orientation. We need a national plan to help fund infertility treatments for all Canadians.

“In a country where about one in six Canadian couples experiences infertility, this poses a financial barrier for many.” – CBC

“Canada is often lauded for its universal health-care system. But no comprehensive coverage exists for assisted fertility treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF).” – CBC

“Roughly 16% (or 1 in 6) couples in Canada experience infertility. This number has doubled since the 1980s.” – Public Health Agency of Canada

“IVF can cost between $15,000 to $23,000 (excluding costs of medications) depending on the level of intervention necessary. Medications are not covered by OHIP.” – Hannam Fertility Clinic

“… infertility treatment causes high stress and puts a large burden on people’s emotions and relationships.” – CBC

“… it can cause severe emotional distress and affect someone’s long-term well-being. “”Some people perceive suffering from infertility as like having cancer,” he said, adding it’s important to have networks of support.”” – CBC

“Treatment coverage currently exists in only four provinces and varies significantly. Ontario provides funding to cover the first round of IVF. Manitoba offers a tax credit and New Brunswick has a grant to help cover partial costs. Quebec previously covered three rounds of IVF, but rolled back its coverage in November 2015 to a refundable tax credit. The remaining nine provinces and territories have no coverage.” – CBC

“‘Fortunately we had the resources to do that,’ said Montgomery, ‘That also kind of felt unfair because I felt, well okay, that’s great for us, but what about all those other couples out there that don’t have equity to leverage to do this or investments that they can cash out on?’ – CBC

“…”That’s what I can afford. I’m not willing to go into debt for this process.” – CBC

“…having a standard, publicly funded system across provinces would improve the safety and quality of IVF services and lower health-care costs in the long run.” “I think that one of the fundamental benefits of having something that is uniform, that is national, is that every individual Canadian and IVF patient is going to be treated similarly and have access to the same kind of treatment,” – CBC

“Canada does not have universal coverage for assisted fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization…” – CBC

“Dr. Anthony Cheung, a Vancouver-based fertility specialist, said fertility needs to be more integrated in the public health system, adding that treatments are covered in Australia and many European countries.” – CBC

What Is Infertility – Fertility Matters

Funding By Province – Fertility Matters

As an example, at the Ottawa Fertility Clinic the costs for treatments are: Ottawa Fertility Clinic

Alternative Funding and Support – Fertility Matters