The provincial government is signalling its intention to expand access to fertility services locally, in what it hopes will help eliminate the need to travel outside the province for IVF treatment.

One-time funding of up to $20,000 is now available for in-vitro fertilization, up from previous funding of $5,000 per IVF cycle up to a maximum of three cycles.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has begun consultations to create a plan to establish IVF services in Newfoundland and Labrador. That process may require legislative changes, certain procurement and infrastructure requirements, and associated staffing.

The province says since 2021, 230 people have been available for the IVF subsidy program at a cost of $2.1 million.