BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon and his party have unveiled a new policy position, advocating for the provincial government to help fund in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments for British Columbian candidates.

“One in six families in B.C. struggle with fertility challenges, and yet British Columbia fails to provide financial assistance to those going through infertility treatments,” said Falcon. “It’s high time that we do something to help the thousands of people throughout our province looking for support to overcome barriers to creating a family here in B.C.”

The BC Liberals are advocating for the provincial government to pay for one IVF treatment cycle per patient similar to policies in other provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. The program would be fully available to individuals and families earning up to an annual combined income of $150,000.

“An infertility-related diagnosis is a valid medical condition, and it should be treated as such. It’s unacceptable that, amidst an affordability crisis throughout the province, there is no help for any fertility treatments or medication under the Medical Services Plan (MSP),” added BC Liberal MLA Karin Kirkpatrick.

“British Columbia is one of the only provinces left that has not taken any action to support those who are facing infertility or are otherwise unable to conceive. We have to do better by implementing measures now to increase the affordability and accessibility to IVF to benefit B.C. families in all corners of the province.”