Petition for Improved Access to Fertility and Family Planning Benefits in the NWT

The Issue

Infertility affects 1 in 6 Canadians yet the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) provides no funding or support for fertility treatments. While the healthcare system addresses underlying medical conditions affecting fertility, it fails to assist individuals and couples in accessing the necessary fertility treatments, especially in cases where assisted reproductive technology (ART) is the only viable option, such as for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and single individuals.

The current stance of the GNWT is reflected in the statement made by the former Health Minister who claimed in 2022: "...falling pregnant is not a medically necessary intervention provided by our healthcare system, and we have no plans to change that (provision of ART)." This lack of support has significant consequences for those struggling with infertility in the NWT. Access to fertility treatments is vital for individuals and couples who wish to conceive and build families. Without proper funding and support, these individuals and couples are denied the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of having children and face emotional, financial, and social challenges.

The GNWT must take immediate action and provide funding and support for fertility treatments in the NWT. Currently, seven out of thirteen provinces and territories in Canada offer some form of funding for fertility treatments, and British Columbia has now announced plans to be the eighth. Ontario and Quebec even provide the first round of IVF for free. Manitoba and Nova Scotia offer a tax credit, PEI offers reimbursement based on income, NFLD provides a travel subsidy, and NB provides a grant. Despite recent financial challenges, the GNWT must enhance its offerings to remain competitive and equally enticing as other jurisdictions. Even as a smaller jurisdiction, the GNWT possesses the resources to invest in specialized services like fertility treatments.

Receiving a diagnosis of infertility is comparable to a cancer diagnosis - it leads to isolation, depression, anxiety, and significant financial strain, regardless of income. Moreover, the birth rate in the NWT is drastically declining annually, and Canada-wide we are at our lowest recorded number of annual births.

For a single round of IVF for someone in the territories, you are looking at a minimum of $25-30K CAD for a single cycle of IVF, including travel, accommodations, and meals. With an annual federal contribution of around $37,000 per resident, the financial investment towards fertility support would not only be paid back through this means of population growth for the territory but also bring in substantial economic benefits over the child's lifetime.

We, the undersigned, urge the Government of the Northwest Territories to recognize the impact of infertility on individuals and couples in the NWT. By investing in fertility funding and support, we can contribute to the growth of our declining population and provide opportunities for families to thrive in our region.

Please consider joining us in urging the government to take action. Sign this petition and reach out to your MLA requesting better support for family planning in the NWT.

Together, we can make a difference.

To learn more about the discussions on infertility during sessions, and to see what funding is available in other Canadian jurisdictions, you can refer to the following sources:

This petition is supported by:

avatar of the starter
Solstice Fertility DoulaPetition StarterSolstice Fertility Doula provides pre-conception support, education, and advocacy for improved family planning support in Canada's Northwest Territories
Media inquiries
Victory
This petition made change with 142 supporters!

The Issue

Infertility affects 1 in 6 Canadians yet the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) provides no funding or support for fertility treatments. While the healthcare system addresses underlying medical conditions affecting fertility, it fails to assist individuals and couples in accessing the necessary fertility treatments, especially in cases where assisted reproductive technology (ART) is the only viable option, such as for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and single individuals.

The current stance of the GNWT is reflected in the statement made by the former Health Minister who claimed in 2022: "...falling pregnant is not a medically necessary intervention provided by our healthcare system, and we have no plans to change that (provision of ART)." This lack of support has significant consequences for those struggling with infertility in the NWT. Access to fertility treatments is vital for individuals and couples who wish to conceive and build families. Without proper funding and support, these individuals and couples are denied the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of having children and face emotional, financial, and social challenges.

The GNWT must take immediate action and provide funding and support for fertility treatments in the NWT. Currently, seven out of thirteen provinces and territories in Canada offer some form of funding for fertility treatments, and British Columbia has now announced plans to be the eighth. Ontario and Quebec even provide the first round of IVF for free. Manitoba and Nova Scotia offer a tax credit, PEI offers reimbursement based on income, NFLD provides a travel subsidy, and NB provides a grant. Despite recent financial challenges, the GNWT must enhance its offerings to remain competitive and equally enticing as other jurisdictions. Even as a smaller jurisdiction, the GNWT possesses the resources to invest in specialized services like fertility treatments.

Receiving a diagnosis of infertility is comparable to a cancer diagnosis - it leads to isolation, depression, anxiety, and significant financial strain, regardless of income. Moreover, the birth rate in the NWT is drastically declining annually, and Canada-wide we are at our lowest recorded number of annual births.

For a single round of IVF for someone in the territories, you are looking at a minimum of $25-30K CAD for a single cycle of IVF, including travel, accommodations, and meals. With an annual federal contribution of around $37,000 per resident, the financial investment towards fertility support would not only be paid back through this means of population growth for the territory but also bring in substantial economic benefits over the child's lifetime.

We, the undersigned, urge the Government of the Northwest Territories to recognize the impact of infertility on individuals and couples in the NWT. By investing in fertility funding and support, we can contribute to the growth of our declining population and provide opportunities for families to thrive in our region.

Please consider joining us in urging the government to take action. Sign this petition and reach out to your MLA requesting better support for family planning in the NWT.

Together, we can make a difference.

To learn more about the discussions on infertility during sessions, and to see what funding is available in other Canadian jurisdictions, you can refer to the following sources:

This petition is supported by:

avatar of the starter
Solstice Fertility DoulaPetition StarterSolstice Fertility Doula provides pre-conception support, education, and advocacy for improved family planning support in Canada's Northwest Territories
Media inquiries

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on February 29, 2024