Ontario Announces Expansion of Fertility Program and New Tax Credit

The Ontario government has announced a $150 million investment over two years to expand the Ontario Fertility Program. This expansion aims to reduce waitlists and increase the number of families accessing government-funded fertility services. The program will be extended to more clinics, providing patients with additional options for publicly funded fertility services.

In addition to the program expansion, the government is proposing a new tax credit, effective January 2025, to alleviate the financial burden on individuals seeking fertility treatment. This tax credit would cover up to 25% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $5,000 per year. Eligible expenses include IVF cycles, fertility medications, travel for treatment, and diagnostic testing.

The Ontario Fertility Program currently supports 50 clinics across the province, offering services such as artificial insemination, intra-uterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and fertility preservation. Since its inception, the program has provided funding to over 107,000 Ontarians, including 42,741 patients for IVF services and 59,448 for IUI services.

The government has stated that these initiatives are part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare access and support families in their fertility journeys. Further details on the expansion and the proposed tax credit will be included in the 2025 Budget.