N.B. premier says marked increase in fertility treatments one year after expanding program

N.B. Premier Susan Holt speaks with reporters on Oct. 20, 2025. (Nick Moore/CTV News Atlantic)

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says there’s been a marked increase in the number of families accessing fertility treatments through an expanded $1.9 million provincial program announced a year ago.

A previous provincial program provided reimbursement of 50 per cent for fertility treatment up to $5,000.

The current program, announced last April, allows reimbursement of up to $20,000 for one cycle of in vitro fertilization, and reimbursement up to $10,000 for intrauterine insemination per household.

“In the past, the previous program had supported 154 families,” said Holt. “Since we’ve put this new program in place I’m proud to say that we have supported 378 families on their journey through infertility.”

Holt provided the update Wednesday during a news conference on provincial government health initiatives, saying she was proud of the program’s uptake.

“As some of you may know this can be an emotional journey, and removing the burden and the question of the cost on the family can take a real weight off people’s shoulders,” said Holt. “And I can’t tell you how much I love receiving messages from the families that have been able to complete their family through leveraging this program we put in place. It’s one of the more special things I get to experience in this job.”

Infertility affects one in six New Brunswickers, according to the province’s Department of Health.

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