What Is Fertility Matters Canada and How Does It Support People Facing Fertility Challenges?

Fertility Matters Canada (FMC) is a national organization that describes itself as "Canada's fertility voice," dedicated to providing fertility support and education to the 1 in 6 Canadians who need access to fertility care. It serves people navigating fertility and family-building challenges through four main channels—support and community, education, awareness, and advocacy—plus a professional referral network and public events. If you are dealing with fertility issues in Canada and want community, reliable information, or a way to push for better coverage and policy, FMC is a starting point; it is a support and advocacy organization, not a fertility clinic, so treatment itself comes through its network of experts and organizations.

Who Fertility Matters Canada serves

FMC frames its audience around a single statistic: 1 in 6 Canadian adults needs access to fertility care. Its materials also highlight the financial pressure behind that need—a single IVF cycle in Canada can cost up to $20,000, and patients often require several rounds before successfully taking home a baby. Funding is uneven: only seven provinces currently provide funding related to fertility and family-building care, and programs and access vary widely across the country. That combination of high cost and inconsistent coverage is the context for most of what FMC does.

The main ways FMC supports people

Support and community

FMC runs support groups and an online community aimed at people who find the fertility journey lonely. The site's message is direct—"You are not alone"—and it invites people to join a fertility support community to share, learn, and find support. The practical entry point is the "Find a support group" link on the site.

Education

FMC's stated mission is to provide accessible information on fertility and family-building so people can make informed decisions about their reproductive health options. This is general education and navigation support rather than individualized medical advice; for diagnosis and treatment decisions, you would still work with a clinician.

Awareness

FMC works to raise public understanding of what fertility issues actually involve in Canada and the challenges faced by people dealing with infertility. This includes campaigns and events—for example, the 5th Annual Fertility Matters 6K, held October 18–19, 2025, as a nationwide two-day fundraising movement you can join virtually from anywhere in Canada or in person. The event has a $150,000 goal and is framed around a future where fertility support is "a right, not a privilege."

Advocacy

FMC encourages people to become champions for government funding, employer benefits, and policy change, with the aim of universal access to fertility and family-forming care in Canada. A concrete example of this work is its "Fertility Benefits Matter" resource, which explains how to pursue better fertility benefits at work.

Access to care

FMC connects people to fertility and family-building experts and organizations through its network of professionals. If you are unsure where to turn after a diagnosis or while weighing options, this network is meant to shorten the search.

What FMC offers at a glance

Practical next steps

• If you feel isolated: start with a support group or the online community—this is the lowest-commitment entry point.
• If you are weighing options: use the education resources to build background, then confirm specifics with a clinician through the access-to-care network.
• If cost or coverage is the obstacle: read the "Fertility Benefits Matter" guidance on workplace benefits, and note that provincial funding varies—only seven provinces currently fund fertility and family-building care, with differing programs.
• If you want to get involved: consider the Fertility Matters 6K on October 18–19, 2025, or the advocacy pathways for funding and policy change.

One caution: FMC's site presents its mission and programs but does not publish service pricing or membership terms in the material available here, so check directly with the organization for any costs or eligibility details before committing.