Provincial coverage
In Canada, one in six heterosexual couples experience infertility. Additionally, many members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and single individuals require access to fertility care to start their family. Yet, in Canada’s provinces and territories, we do not have equality of access to treatment. The cost for treatment is approximately $10,000 to $20,000 per cycle.
Unfortunately, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the territories — where 29% of our country’s residents live — do not cover the cost of procedures like IVF or IUI. Currently, seven (7) of Canada’s provinces provide various unequal forms of financial help for people needing treatment for infertility:
Ontario
Ontario funds one IVF cycle for women up to age 42. There is no limit on age or the number of treatment cycles for intrauterine insemination (IUI). The province does not cover medications, which it says are about $5,000 per IVF cycle.
For full program details, click here.
Quebec
Quebec funds one IVF cycle for women up to age 41. It also pays for medications as well as freezing and storage of extra embryos for a year.
For full program details:
Manitoba
Manitoba offers a tax credit equal to 40 per cent of the cost of fertility treatments. Up to $20,000 annually in eligible costs can be claimed, for a maximum annual tax credit of $8,000. There is no limit on the number of treatments.
For full program details, click here.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia provides the same tax credit as Manitoba and recently extended that benefit for surrogacy expenses.
For details, click here.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island are eligible for reimbursement of between $5,000 and $10,000 annually for IVF and/or IUI, including medication, based on family income. Treatment is not available in the province so people can submit a claim after having it elsewhere in Canada. Funding is available up to three times.
For full program details, click here.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador, there is some treatment available in the provinces, but the IVF Subsidy Program offers $5,000 per cycle to people who must travel elsewhere in the country for IVF. They can then submit a claim for reimbursement.
For details, click here.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick residents can claim up to 50 per cent of costs for in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination procedures as well as medication, up to a maximum of $5,000 as part of a one-time grant.
For full program details, click here.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the territories – where 29% of our country’s residents live – do not cover the cost of procedures like IVF or IUI.