B.C. shares details on publicly funded IVF, but questions remain

After delays, province's in-vitro fertilization program is set to go ahead in July but some say questions remain unanswered.

The B.C. government has shared new details on the publicly funded in-vitro fertilization program announced last year, though there are still some unanswered questions for eager participants.

Officials first promised a single cycle of IVF – a medical procedure that involves combining eggs and sperm in a lab, then transferring the fertilized embryo to a uterus – during last year’s provincial budget, which allocated $68 million in funding over two years, beginning in financial year 2025-26.

Last week, the government revealed it will be providing up to $19,000 for that one cycle, and taking doctor-submitted applications beginning July 2.

It remains unclear how long applicants might be waiting to receive their actual treatments after that.

“It’s been difficult for patients to try and figure out how long they want to wait to hear information about the funding, versus just proceed with treatment and paying for it privately,” said Dr. Jason Hitkari, co-director of Olive Fertility Centre.

So far, the province has only confirmed applications will be reviewed in the order they’re received, and that funding will be provided directly to participating fertility clinics – but not which clinics will be participating.

Officials also shared eligibility requirements, confirming applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 41 when they apply, and must remain enrolled in the Medical Services Plan throughout the process.

“There will be a lot of people who missed the program who aren’t eligible just because of age,” said Laura Spencer, a fertility coach. “And that’s heartbreaking.”

Spencer underwent IVF in 2015, and was one of the many parents who required multiple rounds of IVF. She finally gave birth after two cycles over three years.

She now helps other women with their fertility journey, and said cost is one of the biggest deterrents to undergoing treatment. She expects the provincial funding will be life-changing for many families.

“So many people who didn’t have the ability to try for a baby before… now they can,” she said.

Hitkari, who has been advocating for public IVF funding for years, agrees.

“There are details to work out, and I’m sure we’ll learn as we go,” he said. “But I think, in the big picture, it’s an excellent step forward for fertility care in British Columbia.”

Dr. Ken Seethram, medical director of Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, is working with the province to facilitate the program. He believes the funding is particularly important in light of recent statistics on parenthood.

“The big issue underpinning all of this is this country has a fertility rate that’s on the decline,” Seethram said.

Nationwide, the fertility rate has fallen to 1.26 children per birthing person, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada. B.C. has the lowest rate, at 1.00 children, as well as the “highest age of first birth across the country,” Seethram said.

He believes B.C.‘s program will be a success once the kinks are worked out.

“Part of the problem with any pilot program is you have to start somewhere, and that creates some uncertainty in people in will I be able to apply and what will the process look like,” he said.

The Ministry of Health told CTV News the remaining details of the program will be shared with the public are soon as they’re finalized.

For now, all available information, including the steps required in the application process, are available on the ministry’s website.