As financial barriers continue to limit access to fertility treatment, Fertility Matters Canada is calling on federal, provincial and territorial Health Ministers to prioritize fertility care at their meeting this week

WINNIPEG, MB, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- Almost half of Canadians (49 per cent) with an opinion support establishing a baseline of public funding for invitro fertilization (IVF) treatment by the federal government, according to a new Ipsos survey. The findings come as Fertility Matters Canada (FMC), a national organization that supports Canadians with their reproductive goals, calls on the federal, provincial and territorial Health Ministers to prioritize fertility care in upcoming discussions on health care in Canada.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of FMC, examined Canadians' views on Prime Minister Mark Carney's 2025 federal election campaign commitment to provide up to $20,000 toward a single standard cycle of IVF treatment.

Support for the proposed program is particularly strong among younger Canadians aged 18–34 (57 per cent), who are also among those most likely to experience financial barriers to accessing fertility care.

Importantly, the survey also reveals significant gaps in public awareness of the cost of fertility treatment, with 60 per cent of Canadians unaware that a single cycle of IVF can cost approximately $20,000 or more.

Key survey findings include:

• 46 per cent of Canadians with an opinion support the proposed federal IVF funding program making it more affordable for Canadians who want to become parents, compared to 20 per cent who oppose it.
• 57 per cent of Canadians with an opinion aged 18–34 support the proposed program, compared to 38 per cent of Canadians aged 55 and older.
• 60 per cent of Canadians were unaware that a single IVF cycle can cost $20,000 or more, highlighting limited public awareness of the financial burden associated with fertility treatment.
• One in eight (13 per cent) of Canadians say they or someone close to them have delayed or decided not to pursue fertility care because of cost or limited public funding. This increases to 19 per cent among Canadians aged 18–34.
• 26 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 say the proposed federal funding program would affect their family-building plans or those of someone close to them.
• 49 per cent of Canadians with an opinion support establishing a national baseline for public IVF funding across provinces and territories, with support reaching 59 per cent among Canadians aged 18–34.

"These findings demonstrate that Canadians recognize the importance of making fertility treatment more accessible. For too many individuals and families, the financial burden of treatment is simply too great. Federal funding represents an important opportunity to help remove these barriers and ensure more Canadians have the opportunity to build their families," said Carolynn Dubé, Executive Director, Fertility Matters Canada.

Financial barriers are putting fertility treatment out of reach

One in six Canadian adults are impacted by infertility over their lifetime and may require fertility support to build their families. Yet for many, the cost of treatment puts that care out of reach.

A single round of IVF can cost approximately $20,000, including medication and medical care, and many patients may require multiple cycles before achieving a successful outcome. These heavy costs leave some Canadians unable to pursue the treatment they need simply because they cannot afford it.

Access to publicly funded fertility treatment also varies significantly across the country, creating a patchwork of coverage where a person's ability to access care can depend heavily on where they live. As a result, geography and financial means continue to play an outsized role in determining who can access fertility care.

For instance, Ontario provides coverage for one cycle of IVF treatment, excluding medication, while Alberta provides coverage for oncology patients only. Most provinces provide some form of tax credit, but requires patients to cover costs upfront, with the benefit depending on their overall tax picture. Delivering on the Prime Minister's campaign commitment would provide a baseline of coverage for Canadians across the country.

Canadians support a greater federal role in fertility funding

The new survey finds that four in ten (46 per cent) Canadians with an opinion support Prime Minister Carney's campaign promise from the 2025 Federal election to establish a new in IVF program that would provide up to $20,000 for a single standard cycle of IVF treatment, making it more affordable for Canadians who want to become parents (21 per cent strongly support/25 per cent somewhat support).

The implementation of the federal government's commitment would help reduce financial barriers, improve equitable access to fertility treatment and complement existing provincial and territorial funding programs.

With provincial and territorial Health Ministers meeting in Winnipeg this week, Fertility Matters Canada is calling on Ministers to prioritize fertility care in upcoming discussions with the federal government on health care funding and include in the next federal budget.

With Canada's fertility rate at historic lows, improving access to treatment can help remove barriers for Canadians looking to build their families.

"It took more than six years of fertility treatment before I was finally able to hold my son in my arms. I know firsthand the hope, heartbreak and sacrifice that come with the journey to parenthood. But for too many Canadians, that journey ends simply because they cannot afford to continue. Where you live or what you earn should never determine your ability to build a family," said Jessica Spindler, Board Director, Fertility Matters Canada and an IVF patient.

About the survey

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between October 2-7, 2026. on behalf of Fertility Matters Canada. For this survey, a sample of 1001 Canadians aged 18+ participated in the survey which was fielded via the Ipsos' panel. This survey has a credibility interval of +/- 3.8 per cent 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had all Canadian adults 18+ been surveyed. Credibility intervals are wider among subsets of the population. Quotas and weighting were used to ensure the sample's composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters.

About Fertility Matters Canada

Fertility Matters Canada (FMC) is the national organization that empowers Canadians to help reach their reproductive health goals by providing support, awareness, information and education; and promoting equal access to fertility treatments. We are Canada's fertility resource. We aim to meet the needs that may go unaddressed in the course of medical treatment, to reach out to those who may not be aware of the treatment options available, and to raise public awareness of fertility challenges and the difficulty many have to access treatment. At FMC, we reach out to provide help on many levels. Front line assistance is a key part of FMC's mission. Learn more: https://www.fertilitymatters.ca/

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SOURCE Fertility Matters Canada