B.C. IVF Program Funding Frozen at $34M Despite High Demand and Waitlists
British Columbia's provincial budget has confirmed that funding for the oversubscribed in vitro fertilization (IVF) program will remain capped at $34 million per year, with no additional dollars allocated to address growing demand. The decision means the program will continue to serve approximately 1,800 families annually for at least the next three years, despite clear evidence that supply cannot meet patient needs.
Program Quickly Exhausted After Launch
When the IVF program was introduced in July of last year, it took less than six months for all available funding to be completely utilized. This rapid depletion has resulted in expanding waitlists across the province, leaving many hopeful families in limbo as they seek fertility treatment options. The program's popularity has clearly outpaced its current funding structure, creating accessibility challenges for British Columbians.
Contrast with Ontario's Approach
The situation in British Columbia stands in stark contrast to developments in Ontario, where the provincial government recently announced it would earmark an additional $250 million over three years to support its IVF program. Ontario's program, launched in 2015, has faced similar demand pressures but has received this significant funding boost to expand capacity and reduce wait times for patients.
Overall Health Spending Context
While IVF funding remains static, overall health spending in British Columbia continues to grow substantially. The government expects to spend $36.1 billion on health in the coming financial year, representing nearly 40 percent of total provincial spending. This marks an increase of approximately $100 million, or three percent, from the estimated $35.017 billion health expenditure in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Looking further ahead, projections indicate health spending will reach $38.4 billion by the 2028-29 financial year—a ten percent increase over four years. B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey emphasized that despite increased provincial deficits, debt, and debt repayments, health care remains an area where cuts are not feasible, particularly given the province's aging demographic profile.
Demographic Pressures on Health System
According to the Health Ministry's 2025-26 Service Plan, British Columbia's population grew by 6.4 percent over the previous two years, adding approximately 340,000 residents. The number of seniors in the province now exceeds 1.1 million, creating additional pressure on health services across multiple sectors, including fertility treatments for those delaying family formation.
"We have a lot of work to do on the health file," Bailey acknowledged, highlighting the complex challenges facing the provincial health system.
Political Criticism of Health Spending Priorities
B.C. Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar criticized the government's approach, arguing that ever-increasing health spending has not translated into measurable improvements in care delivery. "British Columbians were told that record spending would strengthen health care. Instead, seniors are being left stuck waiting for care while families are pushed past their limit, and the system is failing from emergency rooms to maternity wards," Milobar stated.
Other Health Budget Allocations
While IVF funding remains unchanged, this year's health budget does include $131 million over three years to support the mandate of Dr. Daniel Vigo, B.C.'s chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs, and concurrent disorders. This funding aims to help individuals with the triple diagnosis of mental illness, addiction, and acquired brain injuries—conditions particularly common among those revived with Narcan following fentanyl overdoses.
The mental health and addictions allocation will fund community treatment teams and 100 involuntary treatment beds, with funding starting at $37 million in 2026-27 and increasing to $64 million by 2028-29. These forced treatment beds will be established in Surrey and Prince George, supplementing 18 similar beds opened in Maple Ridge in 2025.
The budget decisions reflect the difficult trade-offs facing provincial health planners as they attempt to balance competing priorities within a constrained fiscal environment, with fertility treatment funding remaining static despite clear evidence of unmet need.
