Ontario Boosts Fertility Funding, Expanding Access for Thousands

TORONTO, ON – April 28, 2026 – The Ontario government has announced an additional $100 million investment to expand the Ontario Fertility Program (OFP), a move aimed at drastically reducing wait times and broadening access to fertility treatments for thousands of residents. The announcement, made today by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, marks the latest phase of a larger, historic commitment to reproductive healthcare in the province.

This new funding for the 2026/27 fiscal year is part of a landmark $250 million, three-year investment plan initiated in 2024. The government projects this sustained financial support will ultimately triple the number of Ontarians who can access publicly funded fertility care, reinforcing the program's goal of making family-building a more equitable possibility regardless of income, sexual orientation, or family status.

Anova Fertility & Reproductive Health, a prominent Canadian clinic, lauded the decision. "This continued investment represents far more than funding. It is an affirmation that fertility care is essential health care," stated Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Founder, CEO, and Medical Director of Anova Fertility. The clinic is one of 56 across the province that will benefit from the expanded program, enabling it to offer more funded treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and fertility preservation.

Addressing a Growing Public Health Need

The government's investment comes at a critical time. Demand for fertility services has surged, with data indicating that nearly one in six Canadians experiences infertility. This, combined with social trends of individuals and couples choosing to start families later in life, has placed significant pressure on the healthcare system.

The expanded Ontario Fertility Program directly addresses this demand by funding a comprehensive suite of services. Under the program, eligible patients with a valid OHIP card can receive:

• One IVF cycle per lifetime: This includes the transfer of all viable embryos from that cycle, one at a time. Eligibility is limited to individuals under the age of 43.
• Unlimited IUI cycles: This less invasive procedure has no cap on the number of funded attempts.
• One cycle of fertility preservation: Egg or sperm freezing is covered for medical reasons, such as for patients about to undergo cancer treatments or gender-affirming surgery that could impact their fertility.

While the OFP significantly reduces the financial burden, patients are still responsible for costs such as fertility medications, genetic testing, and long-term storage fees for frozen eggs, sperm, or embryos. To help offset these remaining costs, the province introduced the Ontario Fertility Treatment Tax Credit (OFTTC) in 2025. This refundable credit allows individuals to claim 25% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $5,000 annually, for services rendered within Canada.

A Strategic Policy to Modernize Healthcare

The province's commitment goes beyond a single funding announcement, representing a strategic, multi-year policy to modernize healthcare and address a rapidly growing area of medical need. The $250 million investment, rolled out in stages, is designed for systemic impact. The initial $50 million in 2025/26 funded approximately 5,000 additional IVF cycles. The current $100 million injection for 2026/27 is expected to fund an estimated 10,000 more cycles, with another $100 million slated for 2027/28 to continue the expansion.

This funding supports 27 clinics in the current fiscal year, including two new IVF facilities, to bolster capacity across Ontario. Government officials have been vocal about the program's intent. "Our government is making it easier for more Ontarians to start and grow their families," said Stan Cho, MPP for Willowdale. "By increasing funding for the Ontario Fertility Program, we're protecting families by providing more access to care, reducing wait times, and helping more people receive the fertility treatments they need."

The personal significance of the program was highlighted by Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre, who shared her own experience. "As a past patient of Anova Fertility, I was grateful for their compassionate and knowledgeable staff who helped me through my IVF journey and achieve my life-long dream of becoming a mother," she stated. "This investment will enable more couples across our province to start or grow their family."

The Role of Public-Private Partnerships

Central to the program's execution are private clinics like Anova Fertility, which function as key partners in delivering publicly funded services. Under the leadership of Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Anova has become a significant player in Ontario's fertility landscape since its founding in 2016. Dr. Dixon has been a long-time advocate for equitable access, serving on Ontario's Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption in 2008 and later consulting on the creation of the original OFP in 2015.

Her instrumental role as a fertility expert assisting in the development of the Ontario Fertility Treatment Tax Credit further solidifies her influence on provincial policy. This deep involvement has positioned Anova to be a major recipient of OFP funding, allowing it to expand its services across its five locations in Toronto, North York, Guelph, Waterloo, and Sudbury.

The clinic reports that, as a result of the increased funding, it has eliminated its waitlist for government-funded IVF treatments, a significant development for patients who previously faced long delays. "Access to fertility care should never depend on income, identity, or geography," Dr. Dixon added. "This renewed investment strengthens Ontario's health system and moves us closer to a future where every person has a fair, supported, and timely pathway to building their family."

A Sector-Wide Boost and a New Standard of Care

The positive impact of the funding is being felt across the entire fertility sector in Ontario. The expanded OFP now supports 56 clinics, fostering a broader network of care that aims to reduce regional disparities. Many clinics operate satellite locations for monitoring, allowing patients in smaller communities to receive care closer to home.

The news has been welcomed by providers throughout the province. Dr. Kim Liu, Medical Director at Mount Sinai Fertility, called the announcement a "big step in improving access and reducing financial barriers." In Windsor-Essex, Dr. Rahi Victory of Victory Reproductive Care noted the funding would likely reduce local wait times to a few months at most, preventing patients from having to travel for treatment. Other clinics, such as Pollin Fertility, have similarly reported having no waitlist for funded IVF cycles due to the new allocation.

To ensure quality and consistency as the program grows, the government is also implementing new standards. All publicly funded fertility clinics will be required to achieve accreditation from Accreditation Canada's Qmentum Global program by April 1, 2028. This combination of increased investment, expanded capacity, and standardized quality control signals a comprehensive effort to establish a new, higher standard for reproductive healthcare throughout the province.